If you feel that your employer has treated you unfairly, or if you just want to know what your rights are, there are many sources of free advice available to you. 

Try to sort it out informally first:

Before taking action you should try to work out what the problem is and and make sure it isn't a simple mistake or misunderstanding, perhaps by discussing with a colleague. 

Your problem will probably be either a grievance or a disciplinary:

• Grievances
  
  (concerns that you have about your job, employment terms and conditions, contractual or statutory rights, the way you are being treated at work)   
  
  Explain your concern to your immediate manager to see if you can sort it out informally.  It might be possible to suggest a resolution to the problem.   
  
  
• Disciplinaries
  
  (concerns your employer has about your conduct, absences from work or the way you do your job)
  
  If your employer raises these concerns informally with you, it is generally best to try to agree a solution then.  Otherwise these issues could lead to disciplinary action, including dismissal in more serious cases.   

Get some advice:

Employment law is highly complex and frequently changes, so care should be taken to ensure that any information obtained from a web site is current and up to date: many web sites are updated infrequently, if at all.

• BVNA Legal Helpline
  
  All BVNA members have access to a free legal helpline, manned by legal professionals who will answer questions in relation to any subject, not just employment. If you are a BVNA member and you need to ring the legal help line, telephone the BVNA office on 01279 408644 or email bvna@bvna.org.uk, and they will put you in touch with the right person. You will need to have your BVNA membership number ready when using the legal helpline. 
  
  Useful BVNA publications are the BVNA Employment Law Factsheet Pack (available to non-members); the BVNA Maternity/Paternity Factsheet Pack and the BVNA policy document on bullying.
  
  
• Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS)
  
  ACAS aims to improve organisations and working life through better employment relations. They provide up-to-date information, independent advice, high quality training and work with employers and employees to solve problems and improve performance.

Tel ACAS helpline: 08457 474747 from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday.

• Citizens’ Advice Bureau
  
  The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their employment, legal, money and other problems by providing free information and advice from over 3,000 locations, and by influencing policymakers. The majority of their advisers are trained volunteers, helping people to resolve nearly 5.5 million problems every year.
  
  
• DirectGov guidance on employment terms and conditions