Been treated badly at work after making a complaint, taking leave, or asserting a workplace right?
That might be unlawful. Here's how to find out.
General protections claims cover some of the most common but least understood workplace wrongs, being punished for speaking up, taking leave you're entitled to, or asserting a right. This page helps you recognise it and understand what "adverse action" actually means for your situation.
Questions people ask about general protections
General protections covers being penalised for exercising a workplace right, complaining, taking leave, asserting an entitlement, and doesn't require a minimum employment period. Unfair dismissal asks whether a dismissal itself was harsh, unjust or unreasonable, and does require one. See our dedicated page comparing the two if you're not sure which fits.
Dismissal, demotion, cutting your hours, or otherwise disadvantaging you, taken because you exercised a workplace right. See our dedicated explainer page for the full picture.
It covers more than dismissal. Demotion, reduced hours, a changed role, or other real disadvantage can all count, you don't need to have lost your job.
Generally 21 days if dismissal is involved, the same strict deadline as unfair dismissal. Where dismissal isn't involved, it's still worth acting quickly rather than assuming you have unlimited time.
Tell us what happened
Include what you did (a complaint, leave, an entitlement question) and what happened next, the timing matters.
Tell us what happened
Takes about two minutes. No long intake form, the detail comes later, once a real adviser is involved.