Today is Groundhog Day.
The USA and Canada celebrate this quaint tradition when the inhabitants of Punxsutawney in Pennsylvania lookout for a groundhog (large rat-like thing) emerging from its burrow. If the groundhog can see its own shadow (i.e. it is sunny) spring is on its way. If it does not, then six more weeks of winter will endure. It’s very much like our own St Swithin’s day.
The tradition was the centrepiece for a 1993 film starring Bill Murray when he covers the ceremony for a local TV station and finds himself reliving the same day over and over again.
Unfortunately, this concept of finding yourself in a rut and doing the same thing day, after day, after day, is a sad reality for many of us and perhaps we hate the thought of going into the workplace every morning.
However, help is at hand.
All employees have the right to speak to their employers about things that aren’t going right. This can take a number of forms:
- The quiet word – the employment relationship is a two way thing and there is no reason why you should not speak to your boss or HR to raise any issues you have. You may have to choose your moment and it is best to have a clear plan about what you want to say and what you want done about it. You may need to be brave about this, but it could be the best thing you’ve done in a long while.
- A protected conversation – this is a more formal version of the above. This allows you to have a conversation with your employer about anything, but is most often used when you want to negotiate a change to the working environment or perhaps you want to suggest voluntary redundancy or a termination package.
- An official grievance – to be used if things are just not working. Where you have a legitimate complaint then this can be raised in a formal context, usually by putting the complaint in writing. Your employer should then properly consider the issue, discuss it with you and reach some form of decision. Your employer may already have a grievance procedure, but if it does not, then the ACAS website has some good guidance.
Ian, our employment specialist, has even written a book on the subject of leaving one job and starting afresh, and this is available free from any of our offices or by contacting jess.coombes@amicuslaw.co.uk
If the matter is serious, then you may want to take legal advice and Ian is always happy to have a quick chat to see if you have a case and guide you in any formal process. Contact him at ian.pearson@amicuslaw.co.uk.
So, don’t suffer in silence, do something today. Remember, AmicusLaw are on your side.