Describe the conduct as specifically as possible.
Article 17 gives everyone the right to make written complaints to competent bodies. A complaint to the supervisory authority can address an employee’s personal misconduct. The responsible body is generally the supervisor or the authority’s management.
A clear account is useful: when did the incident happen, who was involved and what conduct is being challenged? A factual description makes the complaint assessable. It guarantees neither a particular outcome nor a specific personnel measure.
The other three answers
The correct answer provides a factual way to respond.
I can't do anything.
It is incorrect to say that nothing can be done in principle. Responsible bodies exist to receive complaints.
I have to put up with this treatment.
Poor treatment does not simply have to be accepted without response. The complaint procedure is available.
I threaten the person.
A threat is not a proper complaint procedure and may itself have legal consequences. Criticism can be expressed without intimidation.
A conduct complaint does not stop an appeal deadline.
A complaint about official conduct concerns personal behaviour. It does not replace the appropriate objection or court action against a decision. Those deadlines generally continue to run, and a complaint does not automatically cancel the decision.
If the complaint concerns the manager personally, a higher body may be responsible. Particular officeholders are subject to special rules. The exam answer identifies the general route, not a complete competence rule for every authority.
Article 17 · Complaints · Basic Law ↗Challenge conduct: complaint. Challenge a decision: check the appropriate legal remedy.
Both concerns may arise together, but they follow different procedures.
Three words for this question
- beanstandento raise an objection to
- To point out conduct or a problem considered wrong.
- die Dienstaufsichtofficial supervision
- Supervision of employees’ official conduct.
- der Rechtsbehelflegal remedy
- An established procedure for obtaining legal review of a decision.