Written reasons for dismissal
Updated September 2026
Section 92 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 lets many employees demand a written statement of the reasons for dismissal. It is a short, specific right. It will not win the case on its own. It will pin them to a story they then have to live with.
Who can ask
The ordinary rule is two years' continuous service, the same historic qualifying period as ordinary unfair dismissal. Pregnancy, maternity and some related dismissals have a right to written reasons without that two-year wait. If the six-month unfair-dismissal qualifying period due on 1 January 2027 is live by the time you read this, check whether the written-reasons threshold has moved with it — we could not treat that as settled in the same instrument. Confirm on gov.uk or with Acas.
If you have less than two years and the dismissal is not pregnancy-related, still write and ask. Many employers will answer. The statutory hammer just may not apply.
How to ask
One email is enough. Date it. Say: “I was dismissed with effect from [date]. Please provide a written statement of the reasons for my dismissal under section 92 of the Employment Rights Act 1996.” Send it to HR and keep the sent copy. If you were handed a letter that already states a reason, still ask if that letter is thin or oral-only.
What they have to do
Once a qualifying request is made, they generally have 14 days to provide the statement. It should be the true reason, not a slogan. “Some other substantial reason” or “restructuring” without facts is a stall. Write back and ask which role, which pool, which allegation.
If they ignore you or lie
An unreasonable failure to provide written reasons, or an untrue statement, can be a separate tribunal complaint with its own (modest) award. It is still worth having because it is evidence in the bigger claim. Do not wait 14 days to start Acas if your unfair dismissal window is already moving.
This does not pause the claim clock
People wait for the reasons letter the way they wait for an appeal. Same mistake. Pin the EDT, use the calculator, and if this was this week follow the checklist. The reasons letter is for the bundle. Acas is for the deadline.
This is general information, not legal advice. Northern Ireland has a separate system.
Quick answers
- Who can demand written reasons for dismissal?
- Usually employees with two years' service. Pregnancy and some related dismissals have the right without that wait.
- How quickly must the employer reply?
- Generally 14 days after a qualifying request.
- Does waiting for the reasons letter pause my tribunal deadline?
- No. Ask for reasons and start Acas if the clock is moving.