For Employees
Understand your rights at work, challenge unfair dismissal or redundancy, raise a grievance, and navigate employment tribunals.
Common Problems
Your Rights
Your Rights as an Employee
Key workplace rights including pay, working hours, holiday, dismissal protection, and what to do if your employer breaks the law.
Your Rights at Work
Essential workplace rights including breaks, pay, holiday, flexible working, and dismissal protections.
Your Rights in a Disciplinary at Work
Your rights during a workplace disciplinary or grievance procedure, including the ACAS Code of Practice and the right to be accompanied.
Your Rights in the Workplace (Health & Safety)
Know your rights to a safe working environment, PPE, training, and reporting hazards.
Key Legal Topics
Employment Law
Rights and obligations of employers and employees, including dismissal, discrimination, pay, and TUPE.
Equality & Discrimination Law
Protection against discrimination based on protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.
Health & Safety Law
Workplace safety duties, HSE enforcement, RIDDOR, corporate manslaughter, and employee protection.
Useful Guides
Bringing an Employment Tribunal Claim
Step-by-step guide to claiming unfair dismissal, discrimination, or unpaid wages at an Employment Tribunal.
How to Claim Unfair Dismissal
Step-by-step guide to bringing an unfair dismissal claim under the Employment Rights Act 1996, from checking eligibility to enforcing an award.
Negotiating and Signing a Settlement Agreement
How to negotiate, obtain independent legal advice on, and validly execute a settlement agreement to resolve an employment dispute.
Claiming Statutory Redundancy Pay
How to claim statutory redundancy pay after two or more years' continuous employment ends in redundancy. Explains the age-banded formula, the current weekly pay cap, and what to do if an employer refuses to pay or becomes insolvent, including claiming from the Insolvency Service or an Employment Tribunal.
Understanding Your Rights on a Zero Hours Contract
What rights zero hours workers have in England and Wales, including National Minimum Wage, holiday pay, and protection from detriment for refusing work.
Claiming Statutory Sick Pay
How to claim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) from your employer, what you are entitled to, and how to challenge a refusal.
Making a Workplace Discrimination Complaint
How to challenge discrimination at work under the Equality Act 2010 — through internal grievance, ACAS, and the Employment Tribunal.
Whistleblowing at Work
How to make a protected disclosure about wrongdoing at work and your legal protections.
Letter Templates
Workplace Grievance Letter
Raise a formal workplace grievance under the ACAS Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures.
Redundancy Appeal Letter
Appeal against a redundancy selection decision, challenging the criteria applied or the process followed.
Statutory Flexible Working Request
Formal statutory request to work flexibly under the day-one right introduced by the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023.
Request for Written Reasons for Dismissal
Formal request under section 92 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 for a written statement giving the reasons for dismissal.
Legal Tools & Calculators
Employment Tribunal Deadline Calculator
Calculate the 3-month minus 1 day deadline for bringing an employment tribunal claim, including ACAS Early Conciliation extension adjustments.
Statutory Redundancy Pay Calculator
Calculate your statutory redundancy entitlement under the Employment Rights Act 1996, based on age, length of service, and weekly pay (capped at £751/week for 2026).
Statutory Holiday Pay Calculator
Calculate your statutory annual leave entitlement under the Working Time Regulations 1998 — 5.6 weeks per year — for full-time, part-time, and irregular-hours workers, including accrued leave and pay value.
Notice Period Calculator
Find out the statutory minimum notice period you are entitled to under the Employment Rights Act 1996, and compare it against any contractual notice period.
Common Scenarios
What Happens If You Are Unfairly Dismissed?
Employees with at least two years' continuous service have the right not to be unfairly dismissed. If your employer dismisses you without fair reason or a fair procedure, you may be entitled to compensation.
What Are My Rights If I Am Made Redundant?
Redundancy is a specific legal reason for dismissal. Employees with at least two years' service have the right to statutory redundancy pay and a fair selection and consultation process.
What Is Constructive Dismissal and Do I Have a Claim?
Constructive dismissal occurs when an employee resigns in response to a serious breach of their employment contract by the employer. Despite resigning, the employee may be able to claim unfair dismissal.
Can I Be Dismissed Without Any Warnings?
Most dismissals require employers to follow a fair disciplinary procedure including warnings. However, there are limited circumstances where summary dismissal is lawful.
What If My Employer Doesn't Pay My Notice Period?
Employees are entitled to a minimum statutory notice period — and often longer under their contract. Failure to pay notice pay is a breach of contract.
My Employer Keeps Cancelling My Shifts at Short Notice
You are on a zero hours contract and your employer repeatedly cancels or reduces shifts at the last minute, often with no compensation. You want to know your legal position.
My Employer Is Not Paying the National Minimum Wage
Your employer is paying you less than the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage. This is unlawful and you can recover back pay through HMRC, the Employment Tribunal, or by making a civil claim.
Frequently asked questions
- How long do I have to bring an employment tribunal claim?
- You generally have only three months less one day from the act complained of to bring a claim in the Employment Tribunal. If you have been dismissed or believe you have been discriminated against, you should seek advice as soon as possible. A trade union representative or employment solicitor can advise you on the strength of your case, and many employment solicitors offer free initial consultations.
- Do I need to go through ACAS before starting a tribunal claim?
- ACAS early conciliation is a required step before issuing most tribunal claims. You must complete this process before you can proceed with your claim in the Employment Tribunal. It is a mandatory preliminary stage designed to help resolve disputes without needing a formal hearing.
- Who can advise me on the strength of my employment case?
- You can seek advice from a trade union representative or an employment solicitor regarding the strength of your case. Many employment solicitors offer free initial consultations. These professionals can help you understand your rights and guide you through the process of challenging unfair dismissal, redundancy, or other workplace issues.
- What types of employment issues are covered on this page?
- The page covers a range of employment issues, including unfair dismissal, redundancy, constructive dismissal, raising a grievance, workplace discrimination, incorrect pay, and settlement agreements. It also addresses specific rights such as statutory sick pay, zero-hours contract rights, and workplace health and safety. You can find information on how to navigate employment tribunals and understand your rights at work.
- Are there calculators available to help with employment rights?
- Yes, the page provides access to several calculators to help you understand your entitlements. These include a tribunal deadline calculator, a redundancy calculator, a holiday pay calculator, and a notice period calculator. These tools can help you estimate your rights and deadlines, but you should still seek professional advice for specific legal guidance.
When to Get Legal Advice
Employment rights are governed by strict deadlines — you generally have only three months less one day from the act complained of to bring a claim in the Employment Tribunal. If you have been dismissed or believe you have been discriminated against, seek advice as soon as possible. ACAS early conciliation is a required step before issuing most tribunal claims. A trade union representative or employment solicitor can advise you on the strength of your case. Many employment solicitors offer free initial consultations.