Time limits

Lodging a grievance has no effect on the time limit for bringing a claim in the employment tribunal (usually three months, less one day). Time continues to run from the date of the act complained of (in the case of unfair dismissal, from the effective date of termination). Missing a tribunal deadline because you are waiting for a grievance process to be completed is not accepted by employment tribunals as a good reason for extending time to claim unfair dismissal.

The first step in any tribunal claim is to submit an Acas Early Conciliation Notification Form. This step is mandatory and must be taken within the time limit for bringing the claim. There is more information in LRD’s annual employment law guide Law at Work (https://www.lrdpublications.org.uk/lawatwork).