Employment law in the United Kingdom governs the relationship between employers and employees, covering everything from contracts and wages to discrimination and unfair dismissal. This area of law is built on key legislation including the Employment Rights Act 1996, Equality Act 2010, and Working Time Regulations 1998. Whether you're facing workplace discrimination, unfair dismissal, wage disputes, or harassment, understanding your rights is crucial. Legal Hotline provides free 24/7 legal information to help you navigate employment law challenges. Our AI-powered service can explain your rights, outline potential remedies, and connect you with qualified employment solicitors when needed. Don't face workplace problems alone.
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What constitutes unfair dismissal under UK employment law?
Unfair dismissal occurs when an employer terminates employment without a fair reason or proper procedure under the Employment Rights Act 1996. You need two years of continuous service to claim, except for automatically unfair reasons like whistleblowing, pregnancy, or asserting statutory rights. Employers must follow proper procedures and have valid reasons like capability, conduct, redundancy, or legal requirements.
How long do I have to bring a claim to an Employment Tribunal?
You must contact ACAS for early conciliation within three months minus one day of the incident or dismissal. The tribunal claim must be submitted within three months of the ACAS certificate date. Some claims like equal pay have different time limits. Missing deadlines can bar your claim unless exceptional circumstances apply under tribunal rules.
What if I cannot afford a solicitor for my employment case?
You can represent yourself at Employment Tribunals as the process is designed for litigants in person. Free support is available from Citizens Advice, trade unions if you're a member, and ACAS for conciliation. Some solicitors work on conditional fee arrangements. Legal aid is not available for most employment matters, but tribunal fees were abolished in 2017.
What discrimination is prohibited under the Equality Act 2010?
The Equality Act 2010 prohibits discrimination based on nine protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion/belief, sex, and sexual orientation. This covers direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment, and victimisation. Employers must make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees and cannot discriminate in recruitment, promotion, or dismissal based on these characteristics.
How can Legal Hotline help with my employment law problem?
Legal Hotline provides 24/7 access to employment law information through our AI legal assistant, explaining your rights under UK legislation like the Employment Rights Act 1996. We help you understand tribunal procedures, time limits, and potential remedies. When needed, we connect you with qualified employment solicitors experienced in UK employment law for professional representation and advice.
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