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 Advice:

• DirectGov guidance on settling a dispute in the workplace
  
  
• BVA Employment Advice (Members Only)
  
  
  • BVA Legal Advice Line (Members Only)
    
    BVA provides a free legal advice line for its members. The advice line is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is manned by a team of legal advisors, mainly lawyers, who have a range of expertise covering all aspects of the law. 
    
    Members are able to fax documents or agreements where they require advice, but advisers will not write on a member’s behalf.  All calls are treated as confidential and are recorded for future reference.
    
    The resource is for BVA members only – the phone number is available from the members section of the BVA website. A valid membership number is required in order to access the BVA legal advice line.
    
    
  • BVA Mediation Service (Members Only)
    
    The BVA free mediation service brings the parties in dispute together and helps them to reach agreement.  It is a voluntary process and issues discussed remain confidential.  The process requires compromise from both parties and often results in a better, less expensive and less stressful resolution than litigation.  
    
    
  • BVA Representation Service (Employee Members & Employee Associates Only)
    
    Legal representation is primarily to help resolve issues that arise in the workplace.  Often, issues arise through lack of communication and differences in expectation between the parties.  The representation team will be able to provide guidance and support with disciplinary and grievance issues and will attend hearings with members where required.  They will work throughout to achieve a sensible and amicable solution.  
    
    
  • BVA Employment Resources
    
    
    
• SPVS
  
  Members can contact their Recent Graduate Support Officer (RGSO), via the SPVS Office, for a general chat about your problem and the circumstances in which you find yourself. The RGSO team are experienced practitioners who are sympathetic to the needs of the employed veterinary surgeon but have the knowledge to advise them on all sorts of issues to do with, for example, employment contracts, and professional matters or just to give support at difficult times. 
  Tel: 01926 410454 or email office@spvs.org.uk
  
  
• 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.

Get emotional support:

• Vet Helpline
  
  If you feel deeply distressed or depressed by the situation in which you find yourself you can ring Vet Helpline on 07659 811 118 (local call rates apply, 24hr rapid response answer phone).  Friendly people with experience of the veterinary profession are there to talk to you in complete confidence.
  
  
• Veterinary Surgeons' Health Support Programme