What this tool does
It helps you work out which UK employment rights apply to something that has happened, or is happening, at your job. You describe the situation in your own words and answer a few follow-up questions, and you get a plain English summary of the rights that are likely to be relevant and the practical steps you could take next.
It covers things like dismissal, disciplinary action, pay problems, bullying and harassment, discrimination, time off, sickness, whistleblowing, and health and safety concerns. It does not replace legal advice, but it gives you a clear starting point so you know what you are actually dealing with before you speak to anyone.
When to use it
Use it if something has gone wrong at work and you are not sure where you stand. That might be a sudden dismissal, a change to your hours or pay you did not agree to, being treated differently after raising a concern, being pushed out while on sick leave or maternity leave, or a manager ignoring a grievance. It is also useful if you are still employed and want to understand your position before deciding whether to raise something formally.
It is aimed at employees, workers, agency staff, and people on zero hours contracts in England, Scotland and Wales. Rights in Northern Ireland are similar but not identical, so treat the output as a general guide if you work there. If you are self-employed in the genuine sense, most of these rights will not apply, though the tool will flag that.
How it works
You answer a short set of questions about your job, how long you have been there, what happened, and whether your employer followed any process. The tool then gives you a written summary covering the rights that may apply, the sort of evidence worth keeping, time limits to be aware of, and the realistic options open to you, from an informal conversation through to a grievance, Acas early conciliation, or a tribunal claim. Your answers are not saved and nothing you enter is linked to you.
Ask Welfare at Work a question
Ask our editorial team a question and we will reply with our advice. Tell us as much about your situation as you can: the more detail you give, the more useful our answer can be.
You do not need to use your real name. Please do not include your full address, phone number, email address, or the names of other people. We may edit or remove identifying details for privacy and legal reasons.
Comments are moderated before publication.