Employment Issues Checklist:                        General Questions

Employers name and address.......................................................................................................

Are you an employee/self-employed/worker?................................................................(6.3.0.4)

Other possible legal advice/representation?...........Trade Union/insurance policies (house,car, etc)

Is there a written contract/statement of written terms and conditions...........do you have a copy with you?

Is it a legal contract?......................................................................(e.g. Tax/N.I. paid)(6.0.0.8 para 43)

Type of work/job title?......................................................................................................

Date began employment......................................continuous employment until now?..............................

Weekly hours worked?.....................................Pay/Salary?..................................................(net/gross?)

Any relevant variations to contract?..........................................................................................................

Have you had any warnings (verbal, written, final)?....................When?....................................................

Your Age.....................................re:National Minimum Wage, Redundancy

Holiday leave year, e.g. Jan to May, Apr to Mar?.....................................................................(6.3.3.8.)

Holiday taken so far this year?.........................

Consider - if still employed

Date of dispute/issue/action............................................................

Type of dispute:

Change/breach in contract/terms.............................................................................................(6.3.0.21)

Money owed?...................................................................................(wages, holiday pay, notice, other)?

Discrimination? - gender, race, disability, sexuality, religion, TU, H&S, maternity etc........................(6.0.1.4)

Equal Pay issue? - see also discrimination......................................................................................(6.3.4.16)

Grievance / appeal action taken?...............................(Stat. grievance procedure (6.3.9.2)/contract procedure)

Has a diary of events been kept, particular conversations / words said?..............brought copy with you?

Are there any witnesses / evidential documents?....................................brought copy with you?

Issues:             National Minimum Wage?.............................................................................(6.3.4.0)

                         Transfer of undertaking?................................................................................(6.3.0.34)

Consider - if dismissed / resigned

Date of termination (check correspondence)?............................................1 year employment?..................................

Statutory disciplinary procedure / contract procedure followed?....................................(6.9.3.2)

Constructive dismissal - Unfair?...............................................................................(Lewis / 6.8.10.18)

Money owed?...................................................................................(wages, holiday pay, notice, other)?

Statutory disciplinary procedure / contract procedure followed?.....................................................(6.9.3.2)

Has a diary of events been kept, particular conversations / words said?.....................brought copy with you?

Are there any witnesses / evidential documents?........................................................brought copy with you?

Do you want your job back? Can we assist writing a 'pleading' / appeal letter if incident has just happened?........

Remember: (particularly for bureau advisors)

You should try and obtain a reference if possible before any legal action

You will need to sign a Form of Authority (at the CAB) for us to act on your behalf, where necessary

Time Limits - Statutory dismissal and disciplinary / grievance procedures, County Court. The time limit to apply to an Employment Tribunal is 3 months less 1 day from the date of dispute / issue / action. ET free BUT costs are an occasional possibility (6.9.3.4 para 100)

Refer elsewhere/second opinion..........another CAB/Law Centre/Solicitor/Trade Union

Other Info/Booklets..............www.dti.gov.uk/er/...............www.acas.org.uk