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Post

look at a complaint

Posted by Oden · November 19, 2010 · 6 replies

Sacked accountant awarded $17,000 - national | Stuff.co.nz

An Auckland accountant, fired for sending "confrontational" emails and seeking to look at complaints laid against her by fellow staff, has been awarded about $17,000 by the Employment Relations Authority.

What does "look at a complaint" mean? The same thing as "face a complaint"?

6 Replies

No - here it means she tried to get into some confidential files to see what people had been writing about her. Later in the article it says :

Ms Walker had also acted provocatively in seeking to view complaints laid against her by colleagues....Ms Walker was entitled to view and formally respond to complaints against her, Mr Gardiner said.

In another context though, it could mean "to investigate a complaint" (though look into would probably be more usual) :

Can we have a meeting to look at the complaints that have been coming in about the new product.
I'll look at/into the complaints as soon as I get back from the meeting.

Thank you, Sue.

Ms Walker was entitled to view and formally respond to complaints against her, Mr Gardiner said.

Do "view a complaint" and "look into a complaint" mean the same thing?

"view" = "look at/watch/see", not "look into", which means "investigate". Some examples from Google :

Click here to view the Annual Report and Results 2009 ·

The BBC partnered with ITV to launch a free-to-view digital TV service transmitted by satellite in spring 2008.

iMass makes it possible to view Holy Mass each day directly on your iPhone

This may also be the last opportunity to view the conservation efforts on the Mk1 Sopwith Dolphin which is progressing well.

So, no.

Eric - I think this would be better in the Teaching ESL forum. That's where people look for discussions of how to teach different things. Would you like it moved so people can find it more easily?

Sue - Thank you! I'm still less familiar than ideal with the ESLHQ format.

Sorry about that!

Thank you, Sue.