Unfair or Constructive Dismissal

Forced to leave or dismissed without good reason? We’re here to help.

Unfair dismissal is one of the most common complaints employees make against their employers. If you believe you’ve been unfairly dismissed or felt forced to resign because of how you were treated at work, our employment law specialists are here to help.

If you do have a case, we may be able to help you claim compensation from your former employer.

How GloverPriest Can Help

Being dismissed from your job can leave you feeling angry, anxious or unsure of where you stand. Whether you’ve been let go without a fair reason or feel you had no choice but to resign, we’ll help you understand your rights and what action you can take.

You can expect:

• Straightforward legal advice tailored to your situation
• A clear assessment of whether your dismissal may qualify as unfair or constructive
• Support with early conciliation or a tribunal claim
• Help securing a fair outcome – whether that’s compensation or a settlement

With a free initial telephone consultation where we’ll listen to what’s happened and talk you through your options, we’re here to guide you through the process with empathy, expertise and clear next steps. Get in touch with our specialist Employment Law solicitors today.

About Unfair Dismissal

Employment law states, a dismissal of an employee will be fair if:

• Your employer must have a valid reason (such as conduct, capability, redundancy, or a legal restriction), and
• They must have followed a fair process in how they handled it

Tribunals also look at whether your employer acted reasonably, taking into account the situation and the size of the business.

In most cases, you’ll need at least two years of continuous service to bring a claim. But some dismissals are considered automatically unfair, no matter how long you’ve worked. 

These include:

• Speaking up about wrongdoing (whistleblowing)
• Raising health and safety concerns
• Being pregnant or on maternity leave
• Asking for legal entitlements like minimum wage
• Refusing to work Sundays (in certain retail or betting roles)
• Taking part in trade union activities

If you’ve been dismissed and aren’t sure where you stand, we’re here to help. Our solicitors will explain your rights clearly and let you know if you have grounds for a claim.

About Constructive Dismissal

Constructive dismissal happens when your employer’s behaviour leaves you feeling like you have no choice but to resign.

To make a claim, you’ll need to show that your employer seriously breached your contract and that you resigned because of it, without delay.

Examples of constructive dismissal include:

• Being bullied or harassed at work
• Discrimination (such as for age, gender or race)
• Unreasonable changes to your hours or duties
• Being demoted without a fair process
• Pay being reduced without consultation
• Management ignoring your grievance
• Being unfairly targeted by performance reviews
• Refusal to consider flexible working requests

It’s important to resign clearly and promptly if you believe your employer has fundamentally breached your contract. But before taking that step, it’s wise to get legal advice – we can help you understand your rights and talk through your options.

Other Factors to Consider

When you’ve been dismissed or are thinking about resigning, it’s not always easy to know what steps to take next. Here are a few important things to keep in mind before starting a claim:

There’s a strict time limit

You’ll usually need to start the process within 3 months (less one day) of your dismissal or resignation. That includes contacting Acas for early conciliation – a required first step before making a tribunal claim.

Early conciliation is compulsory

Before you can go to a tribunal, you’ll need to try to resolve things through Acas. It’s free and doesn’t mean you’re committing to a settlement – but it can sometimes help avoid a longer dispute. Our specialist Employment Law solicitors are here to guide you through this process and support you at every step.

You might be entitled to compensation

If your claim is successful, you could receive a basic award (based on your age and how long you worked there) and a compensatory award for your financial loss. Every case is different, so we’ll explain what may apply in your situation.

Legal costs and funding

We’re always upfront about legal fees and offer fixed-fee options where possible. If you have legal expenses cover through your insurance, this may help with costs.

Why Choose GloverPriest?

When you’re facing dismissal - whether it’s unfair or constructive - you need more than just legal advice. You need someone in your corner who understands what’s at stake. At GloverPriest, we’re here to offer practical support, clear guidance, and honest answers, every step of the way.

Here’s what you can expect from us:

• Personal, one-to-one advice from experienced employment solicitors
• A clear view of your rights and options – with no legal jargon
• Step-by-step support through Acas conciliation and tribunal claims
• Fixed-fee consultations where possible – so you know where you stand
• Flexible appointments – speak to us in person, by phone or video

We know this may be a difficult time. That’s why we keep things simple, supportive and focused on finding the best outcome for you.

Speak to an Employment Law Solicitor Today

If you think you’ve been unfairly dismissed – or are considering resigning due to your employer’s behaviour – we’re here to help.

Your first telephone consultation is free. We’ll listen to your situation, talk you through your options, and help you decide what to do next.

Get in touch with our friendly team today to arrange a conversation with one of our specialist employment solicitors.