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Disclaimer: This is not legal advice. Legislation and case law change. Always consult a qualified solicitor for your specific situation.

UK Law Reference
All legal routes
tribunals
Employment Law
UK-wide

Employment dispute route: grievance → ACAS → Tribunal

Standard escalation route for unfair dismissal, discrimination, unpaid wages, and other Employment Tribunal claims.

When to use this route

You have an employment dispute and want to bring or threaten a Tribunal claim. ACAS Early Conciliation is mandatory before issuing.

When NOT to use this route

Personal injury at work (County Court / High Court); criminal aspects of workplace misconduct (police); pension disputes (Pensions Ombudsman).

Prerequisites

  • • Employee or worker status (for relevant claims)
  • • Claim within 3 months less 1 day from the act complained of

Evidence to gather

  • • Contract of employment
  • • Payslips and P60
  • • Correspondence (emails, written warnings, grievance documents)
  • • Witness statements
  • • Schedule of loss

Route map

  1. Stage 1

    Raise a grievance

    Use the employer's grievance procedure. Set out the facts and the resolution you want.

  2. Stage 2

    Appeal the grievance outcome

    If unhappy with the response, appeal — this preserves your right to argue you exhausted internal procedures (ACAS Code of Practice compliance affects compensation uplift).

  3. Stage 3

    ACAS Early Conciliation

    Mandatory before issuing a Tribunal claim. ACAS notifies the employer and tries to broker a settlement (often a COT3).

    Must be started within 3 months less 1 day of the Effective Date of Termination or act complained of
  4. Stage 4

    File ET1

    If ACAS conciliation does not settle, file the claim form within the remaining (paused) limitation window. Free.

    ET1
    Forum: employment tribunal
  5. Stage 5

    Preliminary and full hearing

    Case management identifies issues and orders; final hearing determines liability. Judgment normally in writing.

  6. Stage 6

    Remedy hearing

    If you win, the Tribunal sets compensation (basic + compensatory award).

Final remedies

  • • Compensation (basic + compensatory award)
  • • Reinstatement / re-engagement (rare)
  • • Recommendation (discrimination cases)
  • • Costs (only in limited circumstances)

Official sources

Official Resources

ACAS Early Conciliation →ET1 form →

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to contact ACAS before going to an Employment Tribunal?
You must start ACAS Early Conciliation before you can issue a Tribunal claim. This step is mandatory for claims like unfair dismissal or discrimination. ACAS notifies your employer and attempts to broker a settlement, often resulting in a COT3 agreement. You must begin this process within three months less one day of the effective date of termination or the specific act you are complaining about.
How long do I have to file an Employment Tribunal claim?
You generally have three months less one day from the act complained of to bring a claim. If you start ACAS Early Conciliation, this limitation period is paused. Once the conciliation process ends, you must file your ET1 claim form within the remaining time in that paused window. Failing to meet this deadline can prevent your claim from being heard.
What should I do if I am unhappy with my employer’s response to a grievance?
You should raise a grievance using your employer’s specific procedure, clearly stating the facts and the resolution you want. If you are unhappy with the outcome, you should appeal. This step is important because it preserves your right to argue you exhausted internal procedures. Compliance with the ACAS Code of Practice can affect potential compensation uplifts.
What can an Employment Tribunal award if I win my case?
If you win your case, the Tribunal may award compensation consisting of a basic award and a compensatory award. In rare cases, it may order reinstatement or re-engagement. For discrimination cases, the Tribunal can also make a recommendation. Costs are only awarded in limited circumstances, so you should not assume your legal fees will be covered.
What documents do I need to prepare for an Employment Tribunal claim?
Before filing, you need to establish your employee or worker status. Gather your contract of employment, payslips, and P60s. Collect all relevant correspondence, such as emails, written warnings, and grievance documents. You should also prepare witness statements and a schedule of loss to support your claim.