Your employee rights in the workplace
Workplace problems affect more than just your job. They impact your mental health, finances and family life. Whether you’re facing unfair dismissal, discrimination or unpaid wages, our employment law solicitors for employees fight for your rights with expertise and genuine care.
We’ve protected workers across Leicester, Nottingham and Derby for over 40 years. Employment disputes hit you when you’re most vulnerable. That’s why we combine legal skill with real understanding to get the results you deserve.
Get expert employment law advice today on 0800 024 1976 or via our online enquiry form.
Contact Us TodayRelated services
Employment law services we provide
We handle every type of workplace dispute across all sectors. Each case gets a dedicated employment law specialist who understands how these issues affect real people and their families.
Unfair dismissal claims – When you’re dismissed unfairly, we challenge it and secure compensation for your losses. Unfair dismissal happens when employers don’t follow proper procedures, lack genuine reasons, or when decisions fall outside reasonable responses. We examine disciplinary procedures, investigation quality, and whether your employer followed ACAS codes. Our unfair dismissal solicitors have secured substantial compensation for clients dismissed for automatically unfair reasons, including whistleblowing and health and safety complaints. We understand the financial and emotional impact of losing your job unfairly and work to get maximum compensation for lost earnings, future losses, and distress caused.
- Workplace discrimination cases – Discrimination at work is illegal and devastating. We handle all protected characteristics – age, disability, gender, race, religion and sexual orientation. Our discrimination lawyers understand both direct discrimination and indirect discrimination. We also tackle harassment and victimisation cases. Discrimination can be subtle – missed promotions, exclusion from training, or creating hostile environments. We work with medical experts to assess psychological impact and secure compensation for injury to feelings, career damage, and financial losses.
- Constructive dismissal claims – When employers make work unbearable, forcing you to resign, that’s constructive dismissal. We hold employers accountable and get you proper compensation. Constructive dismissal requires proving your employer fundamentally breached your contract through bullying, harassment, unsafe conditions, or failure to address serious problems. Common scenarios include workplace bullying, sudden demotion, removal of benefits, or ignoring health and safety concerns. Our constructive dismissal specialists understand these cases are emotionally draining and require strong evidence to succeed.
- Redundancy disputes – Redundancy must follow strict procedures. We check these are followed and ensure fair compensation. Genuine redundancy requires businesses to close, relocate, or need fewer employees. We examine selection criteria, consultation periods, and alternative role considerations. Employers must consult meaningfully and use fair selection methods. We challenge discriminatory selection, inadequate consultation, and situations where redundancy disguises other dismissal reasons.
- Unpaid wages and holiday pay – We recover what you’re owed quickly whilst pursuing additional compensation. This includes salary arrears, overtime, commission, bonuses, and holiday pay under Working Time Regulations. We handle minimum wage breaches, unauthorised deductions, and complex calculation disputes. Our wages specialists understand different payment structures and can pursue claims against employers, agencies, and umbrella companies.
- Whistleblowing protection – Reporting wrongdoing takes courage. We protect you from retaliation and ensure proper legal protection. Whistleblowing covers disclosing criminal activity, regulatory breaches, health and safety dangers, or cover-ups. We advise on disclosure procedures, protect against victimisation, and pursue compensation when employers retaliate. Our whistleblowing specialists have protected NHS workers, financial services employees, and public sector staff across the East Midlands.
- Employment contract disputes – We challenge unfair restrictive covenants, non-compete clauses, and unreasonable contract terms. Many restrictive covenants are unenforceable if too broad in scope, duration, or geographic area. We examine garden leave provisions, client contact restrictions, and confidentiality requirements whilst protecting career progression rights.
- Workplace harassment claims – Harassment creates hostile environments and damages careers. We stop inappropriate behaviour and secure compensation. This covers sexual harassment, racial abuse, disability-related comments, and bullying that creates intolerable conditions. Our harassment specialists work sensitively with clients whilst building strong cases supported by witness evidence.
Our employment law process
We handle your case systematically whilst providing support throughout this difficult period.
- Case assessment
We examine your situation thoroughly, understanding what happened and assessing realistic prospects. You’ll know your legal rights, available options, and likely outcomes from the start. We explain relevant employment law, potential compensation levels, and tribunal procedures clearly whilst providing honest advice about prospects. - Evidence building
Strong cases need solid evidence. We help compile employment contracts, correspondence, witness statements, and medical evidence. We work systematically to preserve crucial evidence whilst ensuring nothing important gets overlooked. This includes electronic records and witness memories that might otherwise disappear. - Strategy development
Every case needs the right approach. Whether negotiating early settlement, using grievance procedures, or proceeding to tribunal, we develop strategies tailored to your circumstances. We consider alternative dispute resolution, tactical timing, and presentation strategies whilst keeping you informed throughout. - Results-driven resolution
We work relentlessly to achieve excellent outcomes through negotiation, mediation, or tribunal representation. Our priority is securing maximum compensation whilst ensuring workplace issues are properly addressed. We handle settlement negotiations, tribunal preparation, and enforcement to ensure you receive everything you’re entitled to.
Why choose Nelsons employment law solicitors?
Recognised legal expertise – With over 40 years’ experience, we’ve recovered millions in compensation for employees across Leicester, Nottingham, Derby and throughout the East Midlands. Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners recognise our employment law expertise and tribunal representation skills. We regularly handle complex cases and have established important legal precedents.
- Personal client service – You get a dedicated employment law solicitor with direct contact details for immediate support. We understand employment disputes are deeply personal and often affect entire families. Your solicitor manages your case throughout, providing regular updates and explaining legal developments clearly whilst being available when you need support most.
- Proven track record – Our employment team achieves excellent results across all workplace disputes. We’ve secured substantial settlements for unfair dismissal, discrimination, whistleblowing, and contractual disputes. Our success rate demonstrates commitment to achieving the best outcomes whilst our reputation means employers take our cases seriously from the outset.
Ready to protect your employment rights? Get expert employment law advice today on 0800 024 1976 or via our online enquiry form. Offices in Leicester, Nottingham and Derby.
Meet the team
-
Laura Kearsley
Partner & Solicitor
-
Peter Nicholson
Partner & Solicitor
-
Rachel Hatton
Partner & Solicitor
-
Ruby Rai
Senior Associate & Solicitor
-
Kate Frisby
Associate & Solicitor
Why choose Nelsons employment law solicitors for employees?
Testimonials…
Make an enquiry
If you wish to contact us, please complete the form below. A member of our team will be in touch as soon as possible.
When you submit this form, you are consenting to a member of our team to contact you via phone or email regarding your request.
We encourage you to review our Privacy Notice
Main Contact Form
Used on contact page
Employment Law Solicitors for Employees FAQS
Below, we have answered some frequently asked questions concerning employment law solicitors for employees
-
How long do I have to bring an employment tribunal claim?
Generally three months less one day from the incident or termination date. However, important exceptions exist including continuing discrimination and ACAS early conciliation periods. Given strict deadlines, seek legal advice immediately to protect your position.
-
Can I claim compensation for stress and anxiety caused by workplace issues?
Yes, you can receive substantial compensation for injury to feelings and psychiatric harm resulting from discrimination, harassment, or employment law breaches. We work with medical experts to assess psychological impact properly, ensuring full compensation for immediate distress and long-term effects.
-
What's the difference between unfair dismissal and wrongful dismissal?
Unfair dismissal occurs when your employer doesn’t follow proper procedures or lacks fair reasons for dismissal. Wrongful dismissal means your employer breached your contract by not giving proper notice or pay in lieu. You may be able to claim for both if your dismissal was procedurally unfair and involved contractual breaches.
-
What evidence do I need for an unfair dismissal claim?
Key evidence includes employment contract, dismissal letter, disciplinary correspondence, witness statements, grievance records, and documentation showing you tried resolving issues internally. We help identify and preserve all relevant evidence including performance reviews and comparative treatment records.
-
Can I be dismissed during my probationary period?
Yes, but your employer must still act reasonably and follow basic procedures. If you have less than two years’ service, unfair dismissal claims are limited to automatically unfair reasons like discrimination or whistleblowing. However, you may still have claims for discrimination, breach of contract, or failure to pay notice.
-
Will I have to pay the employer's legal costs if I lose?
Employment tribunals generally operate on the principle that each party pays their own costs regardless of outcome. However, costs can be awarded in exceptional circumstances. We provide comprehensive insurance protection and always give honest advice about case strength.
Get in touch
Speak to us now on 0800 024 1976Email Us