Workplace dispute, where do I start?

The first step to taking action is to understand the strength of your position. Don't let your employer lead you into believing that you have no power in the relationship because that is not always the case.

• You do have legal rights from the first day that you are employed - particularly against discrimination and against bullying or harassment within the confines of the nine categories outlined in the Equality Act.

• Your first step is to raise a grievance with your employer. If you haven't already done this then consider this as the first step to either resolving the dispute or progressing to an Employment Tribunal. Our Letters and Templates page has templated documents you can use for this step.

• Once your grievance has been heard, or within 3 months less one day of the act you complain about (i.e. act of discrimination or dismissal), whichever is the sooner, you MUST have filed your claim at the Employment Tribunal, if you intend to do so. There are some circumstances where you can extend this time but they are few and far between so keep an eye on the clock! Some employers will try to drag out the grievance process beyond this timescale but do not be fooled - this does not extend your time for filing a claim, so keep an eye on the clock.

• Before you complete your claim form in the Employment Tribunal, known as an ET1, you must start what is called early conciliation with ACAS. This is free of charge and broadly speaking if you want your claim to be accepted by the Tribunal then you must approach ACAS first to obtain an early conciliation certificate. The certificate number you are given will need to be quoted in your ET1 form. We can help you to complete your ET1 using our legal coaches. Book here.

• Once you have completed your claim form then the next step is to file your ET1 and submit it to the Tribunal - remember this must be done within three months' minus one day in most cases. Some cases of redundancy or Equal Pay claims have different deadlines.

• Once the ET1 is received by the Tribunal then they will write to your employer and ask if they want to defend your claim. If they do then they will have to complete what is called an ET3 form. Once the Tribunal receive the ET3 form from your employer then the Tribunal will send you a copy. This tells you broadly how your employer will defend your claim against them.

• The legal process has now started and you are running your own case! Remember at all times that you are suing your employer - this will be your case to puruse and your employer's to defend. The ball is largely in your court to drive this forward and to abide by the timescales and directions set by the Tribunal.

• For support with writing all of the necessary documentation and letters to the Tribunal check out our Letter Template page.

Running your own case can be stressful so at anytime you can always book a support call with one of coaches to discuss your next steps or obtain some support. Book Here.