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.

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.

As well as the links below, you might like to also explore the pages relating to contractual matters, unfair dismissal/redundancy, maternity/paternity issues, discrimination, bullying in the workplace and professional conduct issues.

• 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.
  
  
• BVNA Employment Law factsheet pack:
  
  The pack includes factsheets on the Data Protection Act, equal opportunities, disciplinary procedures and how to hold informal and formal grievance meetings, categories of “worker” and “employee”, working time regulations, discrimination and part-time workers.
  Website: http://www.bvna.org.uk/pdf/EMPLOYMENTLAWFACTSHEETPACKMO.PDF
  
  
• BVNA Maternity/Paternity factsheet Pack:
  
  The pack Includes factsheets on Information For Expectant/New Mothers Who Work, Paternity Leave, Parental Leave and Flexible Working.
  Website: http://www.bvna.org.uk/pdf/MATERNITYPATERNITYFACTSHEETPACK.pdf
  
  
• BVNA policy document on bullying:
  
  Website: http://www.bvna.org.uk/polbullying.php
  
  
• 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 they work with employers and employees to solve problems and improve performance. You can call the ACAS helpline on 08457 474747 from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday.
  Website: http://www.acas.org.uk/
  
  
• 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.
  Website: http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
  
  
• DirectGov:
  
  DirectGov brings together the widest range of public service information and services online. Produced by the Central Office of Information, they provide information from across UK government departments a wide range of topics.
  Website: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/index.htm
  
  
• BBC Consumer Guides:
  
  Website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/consumer/guides_to/employment_index.shtml