Free UK Employment Law Support Chat
Contracts, dismissal, pay & discrimination
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Login required. Confidential. Employee support only.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
How it works
Three simple steps. No legal language required.
1) Tell your story
Write what happened in your own words. One or two sentences is enough.
2) Build your timeline
We organise dates, actions, and evidence into a clear sequence.
3) Get next steps
Evidence checklist, safer wording, and your practical options.
Calm guidance. Employee-first. No judgement.
What this support chat covers
Common UK employee issues, explained simply.
Contracts
Unfair terms, notice, probation, pay & hours
Contract changes
Pay cuts, shift changes, forced new contracts
Unfair dismissal
Fired suddenly or after complaints
Bullying & harassment
Humiliation, hostility, sexual harassment
Discrimination
Pregnancy, disability, race, age, religion
Pay issues
Unpaid wages, deductions, holiday pay
PIP / Performance
Unfair or rushed performance plans
Redundancy
Consultation, fairness, redundancy pay
Settlement & NDA
Pressure to sign, confidentiality limits
Evidence & next steps
What to keep, what to do first
Real problems people start with
- “They cut my pay without asking.”
- “I was dismissed after I complained.”
- “They told me to resign or be fired.”
- “My manager humiliates me in meetings.”
- “I’m pregnant and everything changed.”
- “They’re forcing me to sign an NDA.”
Start with one sentence. That’s enough.
What to prepare (optional)
Bring anything you already have — not everything.
Contract / offer
or anything showing pay & hours
Payslips / bank payments
proof of what you were paid
Key messages
screenshots / emails / WhatsApp
Short timeline
dates → what happened
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
Long FAQ
Tap a question to expand. Written for employees, not lawyers.
Quick start
Start with one line: “My employer is being unfair and I don’t know what to do.”
Calm, private guidance — one step at a time.
1) I never received a written employment contract. Do I still have rights?
Yes. Rights can exist without a signed contract. Terms can be implied from your offer email, payslips, rotas, policies, and how work operated in practice.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
2) My employer changed my hours/shifts suddenly. Is that legal?
It depends on your contract, any flexibility clause, and whether the change was reasonable and discussed. Sudden changes may be a breach of contract or evidence of unfair treatment.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
3) My pay was reduced without my agreement. What can I do?
Pay cuts usually require consent. A reduction without agreement may be an unlawful deduction and/or breach of contract. Keep payslips and note when it changed.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
4) They told me to sign a “new contract” or lose my job. Is that allowed?
Pressure to accept worse terms happens. Whether it’s lawful depends on your contract and the employer’s consultation/process. Don’t sign under pressure—ask for time and get changes in writing.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
5) I was dismissed by WhatsApp/email. Is that valid?
The method can matter, especially if no fair process happened. Save screenshots and the full message thread, and write down the timeline that led to dismissal.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
6) They said “resign or be sacked”. What does that mean for me?
This can be coercive. A resignation under pressure may still be challengeable depending on the facts. Keep messages and note who said what, and when.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
7) What counts as unfair dismissal in the UK?
Typically dismissal without a fair reason and/or a fair process. Eligibility can depend on length of service, but some claims (like discrimination) can apply regardless.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
8) I was fired after reporting bullying/harassment. Is that retaliation?
It can be. Timing is important evidence. Save your complaint, responses, and the stated reason for dismissal.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
9) Bullying isn’t “illegal” — do I still have protection?
You may. Bullying can overlap with harassment, discrimination, health & safety, breach of trust, or constructive dismissal depending on facts. Document patterns and impact.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
10) What counts as workplace harassment?
Harassment can include unwanted conduct that violates dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment—especially if linked to a protected characteristic. Evidence matters.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
If you feel pressured or rushed, pause and protect your evidence first.
11) I’m pregnant/on maternity and my manager turned against me. Is that discrimination?
Pregnancy and maternity are strongly protected. Sudden discipline, reduced shifts, demotion, negative comments, or dismissal linked to pregnancy/maternity may be unlawful. Keep a “before vs after” timeline.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
12) I have a disability/health condition and they’re refusing adjustments. What can I do?
Depending on the facts, employers may need to consider reasonable adjustments. Keep medical evidence, your written requests, and their responses.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
13) HR says “we found no evidence” but I have proof. What should I do?
Ask for the decision reasons in writing, what evidence they considered, and what policy they relied on. Keep your evidence organised and ask about appeal/grievance routes.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
14) Can my employer discipline me without any investigation?
A fair process usually includes an investigation and a chance to respond. Skipping key steps can be evidence of unfairness. Keep invites, notes, and any “decision already made” wording.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
15) I’m on probation. Do I have any rights?
Yes. Probation does not remove basic rights (wages, discrimination protections, contract rights). Unfair dismissal eligibility can depend on service length, but some protected issues may apply regardless.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
16) My employer keeps changing my role/duties. Is that a breach of contract?
It depends on your contract wording and how significant the changes are. Small adjustments may be allowed; major changes without agreement may be a breach. Keep “old vs new duties” evidence.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
17) They want to relocate me or change my workplace location. Can they?
Check if your contract includes a mobility clause. Even with one, the employer should usually act reasonably and consult. Keep evidence of practical impact (costs, childcare, disability needs).
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
18) My manager humiliates me in meetings. What should I document?
Note date/time, exact words, who was present, and how it affected you. If safe, follow up by email: “Confirming what was said in today’s meeting…”.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
19) I’m experiencing sexual harassment at work. What can I do safely?
Safety first. Save evidence (messages, incident notes, witnesses). Consider safer reporting routes (HR, union, trusted senior). If you feel at risk or pressured, confidential legal advice can help before you report.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
20) Can I be dismissed for raising health & safety concerns?
In many situations, punishment or dismissal for genuine safety concerns can be challengeable. Keep evidence of the hazard, your report, and management’s reaction.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
21) My wages are unpaid / underpaid. What evidence matters most?
Payslips, bank statements, rota/hours records, contract/offer, and messages about rates. A simple list helps: date → hours → expected pay → actual pay.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
22) My employer is making unlawful deductions from my wages. What can I do?
Deductions usually need a lawful basis (contract term, written agreement, or legal requirement). Save payslips and ask for a written breakdown and authorisation.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
23) They’re refusing holiday pay or calculating it wrong. What should I do?
Keep holiday requests/approvals, payslips, and evidence of usual pay patterns. Ask payroll/HR for the calculation method in writing.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
24) My employer says I’m self-employed, but I feel like a worker/employee. Does it matter?
It can affect key rights (holiday pay, minimum wage, protections). Labels aren’t always decisive—what matters is the reality of control, substitution, and day-to-day expectations.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
25) They put me on a PIP and the targets are impossible. What can I do?
Ask for targets in writing, how success is measured, support/training offered, and reasonable time to improve. Keep evidence of workload, resources, and sudden escalation.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
26) Can I record meetings or calls with my employer?
Recording can carry legal/policy and trust risks. A safer approach is detailed notes and an email summary after the meeting. If you plan to record, get tailored legal advice.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
27) I’m being managed out. What are the warning signs?
Sudden criticism after good feedback, isolation, impossible targets, removal of responsibilities, and rapid “capability” escalation without support. Document the “before vs after”.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
28) My employer is threatening redundancy but it feels personal. What should I check?
Ask what roles are at risk, the pool, criteria, scoring, and alternatives. Keep consultation notes. Single-person selection without objective criteria can be a red flag.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
29) What is ACAS Early Conciliation and when does it matter?
It is often required before many tribunal claims and can affect time limits. If you’re near a deadline or already dismissed, get tailored advice quickly.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
30) What evidence should I collect before things get worse?
Timeline, contract/offer, payslips, rotas, policies, key emails/messages, meeting notes, performance history, witness names, and any threats/discriminatory comments. Store copies safely.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
31) I’m being pressured to sign a settlement agreement quickly. What should I do?
Don’t sign under pressure. Settlement agreements usually require independent legal advice to be valid. Ask for time, request the proposed reference wording, and clarify what you get in return.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
32) Do NDAs stop me reporting to police/regulators or getting medical help?
NDAs often have limits. They generally should not prevent reporting crimes, whistleblowing, or seeking professional support. The wording matters—get it reviewed before signing.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
33) Can I speak to a solicitor confidentially before I do anything?
Yes. If you feel pressured, unsafe, or close to deadlines, confidential advice can protect your position.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.
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Login required. Confidential. Employee support only.
This is general legal information, not legal advice.