Find your own situation

Not every dismissal fits a simple box. This page gathers the situations where people most often assume they have no options.

Someone is told their case is hopeless because of their status, their timing or a line in their contract. Often that is not what the law says.

Vulnerable moments

Being dismissed during pregnancy or maternity or while on medical leave can feel like the worst possible timing.

These moments are worth checking closely, because a dismissal that lands then deserves a second look.

Your job status

If you are on probation, a fixed-term contract, or classed as a contractor or gig worker, you may have more protection than you were told.

Whether you are truly an employee often decides your options.

Foreign and migrant workers

A foreign worker can bring an unfair dismissal claim, even though a permit and immigration rules add complications.

It helps to get those points right early.

Speaking up and senior roles

If you were dismissed after raising a complaint or refusing an unlawful instruction, timing and cause matter.

For a senior executive exit, the concerns are often reputation, a bonus and a quiet settlement.

What to gather before you read on

Write down your dismissal date and what happened in a few plain lines. It makes each page easier to match to your case.

Keep your contract, payslips and messages about your exit together. These records help a lawyer see which situation fits you best.

Not sure which fits?

If none of these describe you exactly, that is common. Start with the closest page, and check your deadline.

If you want a lawyer to act, send the date and what happened to an independent employment lawyer. They can review the facts and reply on whether and how they can take it forward.