BUSINESS ENGLISH · B1–C1 practice support

Respond to a change

How can we help someone raise an unresolved concern without inventing the formal procedure?

Updated 2026-09-09 · SpeakBEC editorial project

This topic preserves earlier guided practice. It has not yet completed the new conversation-course editorial review and is not labelled expert-validated.

5 min practice10 min practice15 min practiceSelf-review checkpoint
15 min · Full lesson material

Respond to a change

How can we help someone raise an unresolved concern without inventing the formal procedure?

How can we help someone raise an unresolved concern without inventing the formal procedure?

1 · Notice the conversation

Colleague: What remains unresolved?

You: The employee still has an unresolved concern about the shift.

Colleague: What practical help can we offer?

You: We should help them find the correct contact.

Colleague: What should we ask HR to explain?

You: Could HR explain the grievance process and what information is needed?

2 · Understand what each phrase does

staff representative

a person chosen to speak for colleagues

Rui is the staff representative in the shift discussion.

代表的具体权限取决于组织安排;不能假定代表已同意就等于每个人同意。

consultation

ask for views before deciding

The team begins a consultation on the proposed shift change.

consultation 是征求意见过程;不等于意见一定被全部采纳,也不是已做决定后仅通知。

grievance

a concern raised through an agreed process

The employee asks HR about the grievance process.

本课练习沟通措辞,不规定任何地区的法律程序;具体流程应查所在组织的说明。

3 · Rehearse, then change the details

The employee still has an unresolved concern about the shift.

We should help them find the correct contact.

Could HR explain the grievance process and what information is needed?

We should record the specific issue and confirm when to expect a response.

Keep the purpose; change the person, document or time. A simple, accurate sentence is enough.

4 · Respond to your colleague

What remains unresolved?

这位员工仍有未解决的排班担忧。

See one possible reply

The employee still has an unresolved concern about the shift.

What practical help can we offer?

应帮助对方找到正确联系人。

See one possible reply

We should help them find the correct contact.

What should we ask HR to explain?

请 HR 说明正式申诉流程和需要的信息。

See one possible reply

Could HR explain the grievance process and what information is needed?

5 · Try a different situation

What if the employee wants independent guidance?

What if the employee wants independent guidance?
Address the changed condition. Choose a practical next step and explain why it helps.

6 · Recall without the model tomorrow

What remains unresolved?