However, sometimes this is not possible and legal action is the only way forward. In these cases, we are here to help.
Taking your Employer to a Tribunal
Taking your employer to a tribunal can be scary, intimidating and lengthy. We are here to make the process as comfortable and stress free as we possibly can, and in the first instance, our employment law solicitors will be happy to discuss the first steps with you.
Here are typical issues our employment law specialists advise on:
Unfair dismissal
If you believe your employer has dismissed you unfairly or has broken their Contract of Employment with you, the first step is to talk to our employment law solicitors, who will listen sympathetically and assess your claim.
Constructive dismissal
Many employees are not aware that if they resign due to unreasonable treatment, in some cases they can bring a claim for constructive dismissal, where the employer has put them in a position where they were forced to resign.
Equal Pay
People doing work of ‘equal value’ with equivalent experience should be paid the same rate of pay under equal pay legislation, irrespective of gender or any other protected characteristic. However, the gender pay gap indicates that many typically male roles attract higher pay.
Employees who believe this is happening in their workplace are entitled to raise a claim in certain circumstances. An example of this would be unskilled factory floor workers who are mainly male being paid more than unskilled office workers who are mainly female.
This is an evolving area of law with high profile cases currently going through the courts. Our experienced employment law solicitors will be happy to discuss next steps with you.
Discrimination in the workplace
Despite very strict laws being in place in the UK to protect employees from both direct and indirect discrimination, in practice it happens, during recruitment, employment and dismissal.
It shouldn’t, and our employment law solicitors are here to support employees when an employer or potential employer gets it wrong.
The Equality Act protects employees from unfavourable treatment due to age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership and pregnancy and maternity.
These are now called `protected characteristics’ and your employer cannot legally treat you differently to your colleagues because of any of these.
For example, if you have a disability (or long term illness which could become one, such as longstanding anxiety or depression) your employer or any potential employer is required to make reasonable adjustments to help you do your job.
Likewise, your employer has very specific duties towards expectant mothers and cannot treat a pregnant or new mother unfavourably.
This list is not exhaustive, but if you believe your employer has acted unreasonably or unlawfully, our sympathetic employment law solicitors will be happy to discuss the next steps with you. For more information please get in touch.