I was dismissed without being told the reason. Must my employer give one?

What the Law Says

The Employment Rights Act 1996 gives qualifying employees the legal right to receive a written statement explaining why they were dismissed — but only if they ask for it and meet certain conditions.

You are entitled to request a written statement of reasons for your dismissal if you have been continuously employed for at least two years. This right applies to most employees, including part-time and fixed-term workers, but not to genuinely self-employed contractors or those dismissed for gross misconduct during probation (unless they still meet the service requirement).

You must make your written request within three months less one day of the effective date of termination. Your employer then has 14 calendar days to provide the statement.

The statement must be in writing and include the principal reason(s) for dismissal — for example, redundancy, conduct, capability, or some other substantial reason. It does not need to be legally detailed or justified, but it must be clear and factual.

Statutory Text

An employee who is dismissed is entitled, if he makes a written request to his employer, to be given by his employer, within 14 days of the request, a written statement of the reasons for the dismissal.

— Employment Rights Act 1996, s. 92 — Right to statement of reasons for dismissal

What to Do

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