Where to Get Help With Work Problems – Your Complete Guide | Yerty Guides

This article applies to England, Wales and Scotland. It is not tailored to Northern Ireland.

Facing a problem at work? You have more options for help than you might think.

When workplace issues arise – whether it's unfair treatment, dismissal, discrimination, or confusion about your rights – there's a whole spectrum of support available. Some options are completely free, others cost money but offer more personalised service. Some give general guidance, while others can represent you in legal proceedings. Understanding your options helps you choose the right support for your situation and budget.

Your Support Options at a Glance

Here are the main types of help available:

Digital platforms (yerty, online resources)
Government services (ACAS, Jobcentre Plus)
Charities & advice organisations (Citizens Advice, local law centres)
Trade unions (if you're a member)
Legal professionals (solicitors, barristers)
Self-representation (doing it yourself with guidance)

Comparing Your Options: Cost vs Personalisation

Type of Support	Cost	Level of Personalisation	Best For
yerty platform	Free initial assessment, then pay-as-you-need	Tailored templates & guidance	Document creation, understanding your case, process navigation
ACAS	Free	General advice	Understanding rights, mandatory early conciliation
Citizens Advice	Free	Some tailoring to situation	General guidance, form-filling help
Local charities/law centres	Free	Moderate personalisation	Specific issues (housing, discrimination)
Trade union	Free (if member)	High - knows your workplace	Workplace disputes, representation
Solicitor - Free clinic	Free	Brief personalised advice	Quick legal questions (usually 30 mins)
Solicitor - No win no fee	Free unless you win (then ~25-35% of award)	Fully personalised	Strong cases, tribunal claims
Solicitor - Hourly rate	£150-350/hour (outside London); £200-600/hour (London)	Fully personalised	Complex cases, when you need certainty
Self-representation	Free (your time)	You know your situation best	When you're confident handling your own case

How to Choose the Right Support

Consider these factors:

Urgency – Are you facing a deadline? (tribunal claims have 3-month limits)
Complexity – Is it straightforward or are there multiple legal issues?
Financial situation – What can you realistically afford?
Strength of case – Do you have clear evidence of wrongdoing?
Emotional capacity – Can you handle the stress of self-representation?
Desired outcome – Do you want compensation, your job back, or just to understand your rights?
Level of support needed – Do you need templates, advice, or full representation?

Each option has its place depending on your specific situation and needs.

Digital Support

yerty Platform & AI

yerty is designed specifically for UK workers navigating employment issues.

yerty | platform offers:

Free initial assessment to understand your case
Step-by-step interactive guides through employment procedures
Document templates for grievances, appeals, tribunal claims
Calculators for redundancy pay, notice periods, compensation
Checklists to ensure you don't miss anything
Timeline tools to track deadlines

yerty | AI provides:

Answers to employment law questions
Explanations of legal terms in plain English
Insights into how similar cases have progressed
Help understanding your employer's obligations

Access: Start with a free assessment at app.yerty.co.uk/signup

Note: yerty provides information and tools but not legal advice. For legal advice specific to your case, consult a solicitor.

Government & Charity Services

ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service)

What they offer:

Free, impartial advice on employment rights
Mandatory early conciliation before tribunals
Helpline: 0300 123 1100
Online guidance at acas.org.uk

Best for: Understanding your rights, required conciliation, general employment law questions

Limitations: Can't give legal advice specific to your case or represent you

Citizens Advice

What they offer:

Free, confidential advice on work problems
Help with letters and forms
Benefits advice if you've lost your job
Some offices offer specialist employment advisors

Contact:

England: 0800 144 8848
Wales: 0800 702 2020
Scotland: 0800 028 1456
Online: citizensadvice.org.uk

Best for: General advice, understanding your options, practical next steps

Limitations: Usually can't represent you at tribunal; availability varies by area

Trade Unions

If you're a member, unions offer:

Free legal advice on workplace issues
Representation in grievances and disciplinaries
Tribunal representation if they support your case
Workplace-specific knowledge

Best for: Members facing any workplace dispute

Finding your union: Check your payslip, contract, or ask colleagues

Note: You usually need to have been a member before the problem arose

Local Charities and Law Centres

Many areas have specialist organisations offering free employment advice:

Law centres (check lawcentres.org.uk)
Specialist discrimination charities
Community advice services

Best for: Specific issues, vulnerable workers, when other services are overloaded

How to find: Search "[your area] free employment advice" or ask Citizens Advice

Legal Professional Help

Understanding Solicitor Costs

Free legal clinics

Usually 30-60 minute appointments
General advice only
Find via lawworks.org.uk or local law firms

No win, no fee (Conditional Fee Agreement)

You pay nothing if you lose
If you win: solicitor takes 25-35% of compensation (capped at 35% for employment)
May still need insurance for other side's costs
Best for: Strong discrimination or dismissal cases

Hourly rates (rough guide):

Outside London: £150-350/hour
London: £200-600/hour
Senior specialists: £400-800+/hour
Trainee/paralegal work: £50-150/hour

Fixed fees

Some solicitors offer fixed prices for specific services
Settlement agreements: typically £500-1,500
Initial assessment: £200-500

To find a solicitor:

Law Society's Find a Solicitor: www.solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk
Employment Lawyers Association: www.elaweb.org.uk
Get quotes from 2-3 firms to compare

Self-Representation

You can represent yourself at employment tribunal – many people do successfully.

Pros:

No legal fees
You know your case best
Tribunals are used to helping unrepresented people

Cons:

Time-consuming and stressful
Legal knowledge gaps
Emotional toll of arguing your own case

If self-representing:

Use available resources for guidance
Get template documents (yerty platform provides these)
Attend the tribunal as an observer first if possible
Consider getting a McKenzie friend (support person)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Missing deadlines – Most tribunal claims must start within 3 months minus one day
Not doing ACAS early conciliation – It's mandatory for most claims
Choosing a solicitor based only on price – Check their employment law experience
Not joining a union until after problems start – They usually can't help with pre-existing issues
Assuming you can't afford any legal help – Many options exist including no win, no fee
Not getting initial guidance – Understanding your position early helps you make better decisions
Not keeping evidence – Whatever route you choose, you'll need documentation
Ignoring your mental health – Workplace disputes are stressful; get support
Waiting too long to get help – Earlier intervention often means better outcomes

Making Your Decision

These options aren't mutually exclusive. Many people use a combination:

Use yerty's initial assessment to understand their rights, and use templates and interactive guides
Use ACAS for mandatory conciliation
Consult a solicitor for complex legal questions

The key is to take action. With time limits involved, delaying can hurt your case.

Sources

ACAS: www.acas.org.uk
Citizens Advice: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Law Centres Network: www.lawcentres.org.uk
Find a Solicitor: www.solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk
Employment Lawyers Association: www.elaweb.org.uk
Law Works (free clinics): www.lawworks.org.uk
yerty platform: www.yerty.co.uk