Before filing a complaint, it is important to identify your desired outcomes, because these may influence your choice for a specific grievance mechanism over another. Examples of desired outcomes could be:

• Change the behaviour or policy of a company/institution/government
• Prevent or stop company operations and activities
• Gain compensation and remedy for affected communities and workers
• Achieve a fact-finding mission to establish violations
• Bring political attention to your case
• Raise public awareness and increase pressure by the public on a company
• Encourage divestment in the company by investors that prioritise sustainable development and adherence to social and environmental standards.

• Step 5: Choose the appropriate grievance mechanism