Unfair Dismissal
Unfair dismissal occurs when an employer ends an employee's contract without a fair reason or without following a fair procedure. Employees with at least two years' continuous employment can bring a claim in the Employment Tribunal. Fair reasons for dismissal include capability, conduct, redundancy, breach of a legal requirement, and some other substantial reasons. Certain dismissals are automatically unfair regardless of length of service, including dismissal for whistleblowing or asserting statutory rights.
Employees with at least 2 years' continuous employment can bring an unfair dismissal claim in the Employment Tribunal. Certain dismissals are automatically unfair regardless of service length, including whistleblowing, asserting a statutory right, pregnancy or maternity, or trade union activities. If dismissal is found unfair, the tribunal can order reinstatement, re-engagement, or compensation. The basic award mirrors the statutory redundancy formula. The compensatory award (for financial loss) is capped at the lower of £118,223 or 52 weeks' gross pay (2025/26). Claims must be lodged within 3 months minus 1 day of dismissal (time paused during Acas Early Conciliation). A common pitfall is failing to contact Acas before submitting the ET1 form — the tribunal will reject a claim without an Acas Early Conciliation certificate number.
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Being dismissed from a job is stressful. If your employer lacked a valid reason or did not follow a fair procedure, you may have been unfairly dismissed and be entitled to compensation. This guide explains the law and what to do.
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