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Raise a concern at work without making it worse

Something's wrong, but you're worried raising it will backfire. Get a calm plan: what to say informally first, what to write down, and where to go next.

Updated 17 Oct 2026

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The prompt · ChatGPT

Help me raise a concern at work.

What's happening: [facts, with dates]
Who's involved: [roles rather than names is fine]
What I've tried: [anything]
How serious it is: [e.g. annoying, affecting my health, about safety or harassment]
What I want to happen: [outcome]

Ask me up to 3 short questions first if anything important is missing. Wait for my answers.

Then:
1. Whether to raise it informally first. Acas says that's usually a good idea, unless it's very serious, for example harassment or whistleblowing.
2. What to say in an informal chat with my manager or HR.
3. A short follow-up email confirming what I raised.
4. A simple record template: date, what happened, who saw it, how it affected me.
5. What happens if informal doesn't work: a formal grievance, and where to read about it on Acas.

This is help with wording and preparation, not legal advice; point me to Acas (helpline 0300 123 1100, Mon–Fri 8am–6pm) or GOV.UK for my rights, and to Citizens Advice or a union if I need someone on my side. Only use what I've told you, leave blanks for anything I haven't given, and don't invent facts, dates or results. UK English.

Stay in this ChatGPT chat. Do not turn on apps or connectors, and do not use memory from another chat.

A short example

Fill the blanks, then paste. facts, with dates: a short note you already have. roles rather than names is fine: a short note you already have. Leave the rest of the prompt as written.

The prompt · Gemini

Help me raise a concern at work.

What's happening: [facts, with dates]
Who's involved: [roles rather than names is fine]
What I've tried: [anything]
How serious it is: [e.g. annoying, affecting my health, about safety or harassment]
What I want to happen: [outcome]

Ask me up to 3 short questions first if anything important is missing. Wait for my answers.

Then:
1. Whether to raise it informally first. Acas says that's usually a good idea, unless it's very serious, for example harassment or whistleblowing.
2. What to say in an informal chat with my manager or HR.
3. A short follow-up email confirming what I raised.
4. A simple record template: date, what happened, who saw it, how it affected me.
5. What happens if informal doesn't work: a formal grievance, and where to read about it on Acas.

This is help with wording and preparation, not legal advice; point me to Acas (helpline 0300 123 1100, Mon–Fri 8am–6pm) or GOV.UK for my rights, and to Citizens Advice or a union if I need someone on my side. Only use what I've told you, leave blanks for anything I haven't given, and don't invent facts, dates or results. UK English.

Stay in this Gemini chat. Leave extensions off, including Gmail and Drive.

A short example

Fill the blanks, then paste. facts, with dates: a short note you already have. roles rather than names is fine: a short note you already have. Leave the rest of the prompt as written.

1

You type what's happening, who's involved and what you've tried.

2

The assistant asks how serious it is, what you want to happen and whether you feel safe.

3

You get an informal conversation plan, a short email, a record template and the formal next steps.

What happens

Use Gemini to raise a concern at work without making it worse

Something's wrong, but you're worried raising it will backfire. Get a calm plan: what to say informally first, what to write down, and where to go next.

Tools

Paste the prompt, fill the blanks, copy the draft.

  • Gemini — required. Drafts from the text you paste. Nothing is sent.

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