Employment Law
Employment disputes are one of the most common reasons people end up in front of a tribunal. Below you'll find real Employment Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal cases, broken down into plain-English summaries — what went wrong, what each side argued, and what the tribunal decided.
Topics in Employment
Redundancy
Real UK tribunal cases on redundancy — fair selection, consultation, suitable alternative employment, and the statutory and contractual payments employers owe when roles disappear.
331 cases →
Unfair Dismissal
When does dismissal cross the line into "unfair"? Real UK tribunal cases showing what works and what doesn't.
3032 cases →
Wages & Unlawful Deductions
Real UK tribunal cases on unpaid wages, withheld commission, unauthorised deductions and the right to be paid what you're owed under Part II of the Employment Rights Act 1996.
1087 cases →
Whistleblowing & Protected Disclosure
Real UK cases on whistleblowing protections — what counts as a "protected disclosure," who's covered, and what the tribunal awards when employers retaliate.
479 cases →
Working Time & Holiday Pay
UK cases on the Working Time Regulations 1998 — holiday entitlement, holiday pay calculations, rest breaks, the 48-hour week, and how the rules apply to atypical workers.
767 cases →
Workplace Discrimination
Real Equality Act 2010 cases — disability, race, sex, age, pregnancy and other protected characteristics in the workplace.
1546 cases →
Wrongful Dismissal & Breach of Contract
UK cases on wrongful dismissal — being dismissed without proper notice or pay in lieu, breach of contract claims, and how this differs from unfair dismissal.
1188 cases →
Recent cases
Dismissed after visa sponsorship became impossible: Home Office rule change was 'some other substantial reason'
A tribunal has ruled that Fintru Limited fairly dismissed an associate whose skilled worker visa could not be renewed after the Home Office raised salary thresholds. The employer explored alternatives and followed a reasonable process.
Constructive dismissal after eight-month wait for grievance outcome
An NHS employee resigned after waiting nearly eight months for her grievance outcome. The tribunal found she was constructively unfairly dismissed and awarded £3,756.60.
Hotel night worker's constructive dismissal claim struck out after delay in resigning
A tribunal struck out a constructive unfair dismissal claim from a night team member who waited 2.5 months after the last alleged breach before resigning, finding he had affirmed the contract.
Unfair dismissal claim dismissed despite severe mental health: the 'reasonable period' trap
A bank employee's unfair dismissal claim was dismissed as out of time, even though the tribunal accepted her severe mental health made it not reasonably practicable to claim within the first three months.
Agency worker's claim dismissed after withdrawal and failed reinstatement
An agency worker who withdrew her employment tribunal claims and then tried to revoke the withdrawal has had her case dismissed. The tribunal ruled the withdrawal was valid and could not be undone.
Race discrimination claim dismissed after social worker missed time limit
An experienced social worker's race discrimination and constructive dismissal claims against Devon County Council were dismissed because she presented her claim too late, and the tribunal refused to extend time.
The UK Employment Tribunal hears tens of thousands of claims every year. Most cases never reach a final hearing — they settle, are withdrawn, or get struck out at an early stage. The cases shown here are decisions that made it to a reasoned judgment, which means a tribunal panel set out in writing what they decided and why.
We cover claims under the Employment Rights Act 1996, the Equality Act 2010, the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, and related legislation.