| If your employer has treated you unfairly, you | | | | normally a three month deadline from the date of |
| have been unfairly dismissed or discriminated | | | | the events you are complaining about. Under |
| against at work in the UK, it is important to get | | | | certain circumstances this can be extended, for |
| legal advice as the earliest possible opportunity. | | | | example if your claim concerns redundancy |
| Generally, the longer you leave a problem the | | | | payments, in which case you have six months to |
| harder it is to solve. Your employment solicitor | | | | lodge the claim with a tribunal. |
| can help to explain your options, determine | | | | The employment tribunal is composed of one |
| whether you have a case against your employer, | | | | employment law specialist, i.e. a judge or a lawyer, |
| help you decide whether the case is worth | | | | and two lay members whom will have specific |
| pursuing and explain what steps to take. | | | | experience of employment issues. |
| You will need to be prepared to provide your | | | | The employment tribunal will look at the merits of |
| solicitor with the following details: | | | | your case along with any evidence to determine |
| - Length of time you have worked for your | | | | whether they think it is justifiable in law to bring |
| employer | | | | the claim against your employer. |
| - How much you earn | | | | They will take into consideration what policies |
| - Your Job Description and Contract of | | | | procedures your employer has for dealing with |
| Employment | | | | problems at work, what steps you and your |
| - Details of your problems at work | | | | employer have already taken to try to resolve |
| - What events have led to your current situation | | | | the problem and you and your employer's |
| - Any relevant documents that you have or that | | | | behaviour throughout the time you were |
| are not in your possession | | | | employed. |
| - What you have done so far to try to resolve | | | | Most case hearings will be finished in one day. |
| the matter | | | | Conclusions are reached via a majority decision |
| RESOLVING PROBLEMS INTERNALLY. | | | | and are normally announced to both parties |
| If possible you should try to sort out your | | | | straightaway. |
| problem through internal company grievance | | | | In cases of unfair dismissal, tribunals have the |
| procedures to allow matters to be sorted out | | | | authority to enable you to either get you |
| quickly. | | | | reinstated in your job or to order a |
| If you have attempted to solve the matter | | | | compensatory award. |
| internally then you are more likely to have your | | | | UK employers don't always understand |
| case heard by the employment tribunal. You can | | | | employment law and often fail to stick to proper |
| either do this directly or we will write to your | | | | procedure or to properly compensate their |
| employer on your behalf. | | | | employees from losing their job. A good |
| If you can reach an agreement with your | | | | compromise agreement solicitor will be able to |
| employer without going to a tribunal, this can be | | | | negotiate with your employer with the mutual aim |
| recorded in a "compromise agreement". This is a | | | | of resolving the dispute, meaning that neither |
| legal document which confirms the terms of the | | | | party will have to attend an employment tribunal - |
| settlement you have agreed, in exchange for | | | | in many cases such a compromise agreement will |
| which you will give up your legal claim against your | | | | enable a higher compensation payout than from a |
| employer. | | | | tribunal, especially when considering the reduction |
| EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNALS. | | | | in legal fees. Any employee who has been |
| If you are unable to resolve matters internally, it | | | | dismissed, should always seek the advice of |
| may be necessary to take your case to an | | | | experienced employment law solicitors before |
| employment tribunal. | | | | taking any action or signing any agreement. |
| If you do take matters to an tribunal, there is | | | | |