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Anyone with experience of an unfair dismissal tribunal and what to expect?

37 replies

BlueFroggyBlue · 25/08/2026 17:41

I was recently unfairly dismissed from my job, I’ve started the process of taking my ex-employer to tribunal. Does anyone here have experience of this? I’m not really sure what to expect next.

The whole ordeal has really knocked my confidence and left me feeling very low. I’ve not been able to secure a new job yet - we’ve managed okay for the past few months but our savings are starting to run out. My GP thinks I’m best not working and suggested I apply for PIP but I don’t think I’d get it.

OP posts:
SaraHoliday · 25/08/2026 17:58

Hi

Are you a union member or have you started the process yourself?

Is it possible to provide a few more details? Specifically the date of dismissal and the reason for dismissal?

BlueFroggyBlue · 25/08/2026 18:20

I was dismissed in June for ‘some other substantial reason’, which I think is a breakdown in relationship. The relationship broke down when I submitted a grievance against my manager as they made a derogatory remark about my disability.

Yes, I’m in a Union - they’ve started the process, we tried to do early conciliation with ACAS but my employer didn’t engage with the process.

OP posts:
SaraHoliday · 25/08/2026 18:30

BlueFroggyBlue · 25/08/2026 18:20

I was dismissed in June for ‘some other substantial reason’, which I think is a breakdown in relationship. The relationship broke down when I submitted a grievance against my manager as they made a derogatory remark about my disability.

Yes, I’m in a Union - they’ve started the process, we tried to do early conciliation with ACAS but my employer didn’t engage with the process.

Is your Unison Representative organising all the paperwork and representing on your behalf?

Thepromising · 25/08/2026 18:33

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BlueFroggyBlue · 25/08/2026 19:17

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Yes, that’s what I think. Not been to tribunal yet, so official judgement has been made.

OP posts:
BlueFroggyBlue · 25/08/2026 19:18

SaraHoliday · 25/08/2026 18:30

Is your Unison Representative organising all the paperwork and representing on your behalf?

Yes, the Union has employment solicitors and they have done all the paperwork and will be representing me.

OP posts:
roundabouttheforstday · 25/08/2026 19:18

Well what did you apparently do?

Thepromising · 25/08/2026 19:23

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JennyForeigner · 25/08/2026 19:35

An employer can't unilaterally decide the employment relationship has broken down where this is because of their actions or the exercise of a statutory right, that would be a license to get rid of disabled people and protected groups at will.

The tribunal process is designed to be 'open'. It is supposed to work for individuals and litigants in person. I have always found tribunal judges to be pretty good at walking the walk in terms of ensuring access (I am employer side in a sector where litigants in person are common). Be prepared for the worst bit to be when an employment solicitor writes the employers response to your claim. It's not pleasant to receive something saying 'this person was an absolute liability and it's all their fault', but ultimately if you go all the way to tribunal, they will have to back up what they say - or of course, to try to settle beforehand.

An important thing for you is to work on your strength. It's hard, but imho going through the tribunal process can be part of restoring your sense of self after a horrible time. Work can really knock us, and it can be grossly unfair. Good luck, and well done for keeping up your union membership.

Twilightstarbright · 25/08/2026 19:46

There is an employment tribunal sub on Reddit that is worth looking at.

Gengha · 25/08/2026 19:48

Are you claiming discrimination/harassment as well?

Have you been through ACAS early conciliation?

The ET system is very overloaded and cases in some areas are taking several years for a full hearing.

it may be worth trying to settle, if your employer is up for it.

Nailapp · 26/08/2026 06:14

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ThereAreOnlyShadesOfGrey · 26/08/2026 06:31

I would ask yourself what you want to gain from this.

Not because I don’t think that employers should be held to account, I do. But because the process is very brutal, long-winded and unforgiving. And because whether we like it or not, there are potential longer term consequences for the individual.

We’d all like to think that taking an employer to tribunal will bring justice and compensation, but in general compensation for unfair dismissal is rarely at a high enough level t make it worthwhile, and the outcome is often reputational damage, being seen as a troublemaker by future employers.

It’s not palatable to think it, but most employers aren’t going to look favourably on someone whose reason for leaving their previous job involved taking their employer to tribunal, and if the case is ongoing for years then an ongoing case isn’t going to look favourably to future employers before an outcome is achieved.

It’s shit. It really is. And the fact that the backlog is years long tells us all we need to know about the kinds of employers that are out there. But as shit as it is, sadly we live in an employer’s market, and as someone with a disability you’re already at a disadvantage, as discrimination is still a thing.

Ask yourself whether the stress, the wait, the potential to remain unemployable is going to be worth it for the sake of what best is likely to be only a couple of grand, these settlements are almost never life-changing.

I’ve been there. And i know there will be people out there who will say you owe it to others to bring these people to justice, to prevent it happening to someone else. But the cost to yourself is important here.

I’m sorry this has happened to you.

Greenseacat · 26/08/2026 06:40

I would try to get a financial settlement if possible.

I raised a formal complaint against my line manager for bullying and disability discrimination and made it clear I was going to take this all the way to an employment tribunal if needed, but that I was open to leaving with a financial settlement and a good reference instead. They offered a settlement and we went through ACAS to do all the paperwork.

Employment tribunals have a backlog of cases and it could be at least a couple of years before your case is heard. I did not want the stress of waiting and having to deal with all the legal hassle.

weegielass01 · 26/08/2026 06:58

I'm about to end the Acas EC conciliation process, but unlike you, I haven't had confirmation my union will support me after that. if your union will, hold onto that and go all the way cause its tough on your own and many unions can change their minds and only go as far as the EC stage. Having representation throughout takes a lot of the pressure off you.
Definitely look at the reddit employment litigation board (the employment tribunal one is closed). and there's some groups on facebook too.
ps is it just unfair dismissal you are claiming? not disability discrimination (compensation is uncapped for this). I'd check with your union.

Nailapp · 26/08/2026 07:00

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Nailapp · 26/08/2026 07:01

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weegielass01 · 26/08/2026 07:35

I didn't say they weren't supporting me, I said they haven't confirmed yet if they will support me beyond early conciliation, they are going to do a merits assessment. If they don't, I'd explore other options.

Nailapp · 26/08/2026 07:36

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Nailapp · 26/08/2026 07:37

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Mothrasstillmoshing · 26/08/2026 08:04

You're in for a very long process unfortunately @BlueFroggyBlue
I was dismissed earlier in the year on medical capability grounds while off sick despite having reasonable adjustments, a positive occupational health report saying I'm more than able to work(twice) and I have a 'Protected Characteristic' under the Equality Act 2010. I had raised a complaint last year as I was refused a legal right to something so I'd suffered disability discrimination, I had reported several issues with my manager covered under 'whistleblowing and after 1 welfare meeting I was sacked at a 2nd meeting so have been unfairly dismissed. I have firm evidence of the first two issues and have a high chance of proving the third. I had to wait 3 months for my appeal to be heard and I'm still waiting nearly 3 months on for the result. Meanwhile my employer has refused to engage with ACAS on early conciliation and is waiting for my 'clock' to run down so that I either fight or give up. This is a huge national charity.
I'm now formally applying to the Employment Tribunal for a hearing and the current wait time for the case to be heard is about 18-24 months.

Please read the ACAS website advice carefully and see if you have a Protected Characteristic. I do because I have cancer and the protection lasts for life but I'm also protected by having autism and ADHD. I also get full PIP so it is worth applying if your GP or adviser thinks you should. Also, any reference from your employer should come from HR and shouldn't give the reason you left employment - it should only confirm the dates of employment etc but they can refuse to give a reference so see if you can give other referees.
Don't rely on the union and educate yourself in the ET/ACAS processes.
Good luck and stick it to the wankers...whoever they are!

Mothrasstillmoshing · 26/08/2026 08:07

@Nailapp You don't actually know that it's not worth pursuing do you?????
Please ignore this and read ACAS's site thoroughly @BlueFroggyBlue before making a decision.

Nailapp · 26/08/2026 08:09

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LesTaupesMerveilleuses · 26/08/2026 08:32

The tribunal now has an excellent series of videos you can watch including unfair dismissal. If you’re not sent the link you can ask them for it.

CornishGem1975 · 26/08/2026 08:55

Going through this at work (not me, but with an employee). As I understand it the amount you could get awarded (for mitigation of loss) will be based on how long you've been out of work BUT you have to be able to show/prove that you have been actively seeking work.

However health reasons can be considered - if you do take your GPs advice you need to make sure you keep evidence - fit notes, occupational health if relevant, evidence of medication etc. Without evidence they are likely to say you didn't do anything to mitigate your loss.