What is included in an Appeal Letter?

This Appeal Letter template covers: what decision is being appealed why the decision is being appealed (ie the grounds for the appeal) the option to include a request to be accompanied to the appeal hearing meeting

Do I need an Appeal Letter?

You need an Appeal Letter if you want to make a formal appeal against a decision made by your employer. Writing an Appeal Letter makes it clear to your employer that you disagree with their decision and sets out the reasons why you disagree. You can use this Appeal Letter to appeal against a disciplinary decision, a dismissal, a redundancy, or another decision against you (ie an unfair refusal of your Flexible working request ). For more information, read Appealing decisions made by employers .

What types of decisions can you appeal against using this Letter?

Use this Appeal Letter to appeal decisions made by an employer, including: disciplinary decisions (eg warnings for misconduct or poor performance ) dismissals being made redundant other decisions (eg refusals to flexible working requests) You can use this Letter to claim that: there is new evidence that supports your appeal the correct procedure was not followed when a decision was made the selection grounds for redundancy were unfair (you should also set out why) the employer decision was unfair for any other reason (you should also set out why) Read Appealing decisions made by employers to find out more about the types of decisions you can appeal, how to do this, and the next steps following writing a formal Letter.

Can someone accompany me to the appeal hearing?

You can choose to be accompanied to any appeal hearing held by a colleague or a trade union representative. In this Appeal Letter, you can request to be accompanied by a colleague or a trade union representative. Your employer or HR officer cannot refuse this request.

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Other Names: Letter of Appeal Appeal Notice Dismissal Appeal Letter Disciplinary Appeal Letter Redundancy Appeal Letter Employee Notice of Appeal Discrimination Appeal Letter

What is an Appeal Letter?

An Appeal Letter allows you to make a formal appeal against your employer. Appeal Letters set out what decision is being appealed (ie challenged) and the reasons for the appeal.

When should I use an Appeal Letter?

Use this Appeal Letter to appeal against:

a first or final written warning
dismissal
being made redundant
other employer decisions (eg refusal of a flexible working request)

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Dear ,

RE: APPEAL NOTICE AGAINST

I look forward to a response with details of an appeal hearing where we can hopefully resolve the situation internally, avoiding the need for any legal action. I would like to be accompanied at this meeting by.

Yours sincerely,

Employee

Timestamp

Date of signature

About Appeal Letters

Learn more about making your Appeal Letter

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How to make an Appeal Letter
Making an Appeal Letter online is simple. Just answer a few questions and Rocket Lawyer will build your document for you. When you have all of the details prepared in advance, making your document is a quick and easy process.

To make your Appeal Letter you will need the following information:

Party details
- What are your employer’s details (eg name and address)?
- What are your details (eg name and address)?
Appeal
- Is the appeal being made against:
  - A first or final written warning for misconduct or poor performance?
  - Your dismissal for misconduct or poor performance?
  - A termination of employment by reason of redundancy?
  - Another decision? If so, what decision are you appealing against?
Appealing a first or final written warning for misconduct or poor performance
- Is the appeal being made in accordance with the employer's disciplinary procedure or the Acas Code of Practice?
- Against which disciplinary decision (ie warning) is the employee appealing?
- On what date was the warning issued?
- On what grounds are you appealing the disciplinary decision? If relevant:
  - Why was the employer’s decision incorrect?
  - What is the problem with the evidence?
  - What is the new evidence that you would like to present?
Appealing a dismissal for misconduct or poor performance
- Is the appeal being made in accordance with the employer's disciplinary procedure or the Acas Code of Practice?
- Why were you dismissed?
- On what date were you dismissed?
- Were you summarily dismissed?
- On what grounds are you appealing the disciplinary decision? If relevant:
  - Why was the decision-making process incorrect?
  - What is the problem with the evidence?
  - What is the new evidence that you would like to present?
Appealing a redundancy
- On what grounds are you appealing against the redundancy? If relevant:
  - Why were the grounds for selection unfair?
  - Why was the redundancy process flawed?
  - Why was the reason for making redundancies incorrect?
- What is the date of the termination letter?
Hearing and Letter
- Do you want to be accompanied at the appeal hearing? If so, by a union representative or a colleague? If a colleague, what is their name?
- To whom is the Letter addressed?
- What is the date of the Letter?
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Common terms in an Appeal Letter
You can use an Appeal Letter to formally appeal against a decision made by your employer. As a result, this Appeal Letter covers:

Sender and recipient details

The start of the Appeal Letter provides details of the employer and of the employee who is making the appeal.

The appeal itself

The body of the Appeal Letter sets out the details of the appeal. This includes:
- the employer’s decision that the employee is appealing against
- why the employee is appealing against the employer’s decision
- evidence to support the appeal
- whether the employee wants to be accompanied to the appeal hearing
If you want your Appeal Letter to include further or more detailed provisions, you can edit your document. However, if you do this, you may want a lawyer to review or change the Letter for you, to make sure it complies with all relevant laws and meets your specific needs. Ask a lawyer for assistance.
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Legal tips for making an Appeal Letter
Check relevant policies or documents before making an appeal

Before you send an Appeal Letter to your employer, check your employer’s relevant policies (eg their grievance procedure or staff handbook). If your employer does not have relevant documents in place, follow the Acas Code of Practice. Note that this does not apply in cases of redundancy or to the non-renewal of fixed-term contracts on their expiry. If you have any questions, Ask a lawyer and read Appealing decisions made by employers .

Understand when to seek advice from a lawyer

Ask a lawyer if:
- this document doesn’t cover your specific needs
- you are unsure whether you have legitimate grounds for a challenge to the initial decision
- your employer does not allow you to appeal or is acting unreasonably
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Appeal Letter FAQs

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What is included in an Appeal Letter?
This Appeal Letter template covers:
- what decision is being appealed
- why the decision is being appealed (ie the grounds for the appeal)
- the option to include a request to be accompanied to the appeal hearing meeting
Do I need an Appeal Letter?

You need an Appeal Letter if you want to make a formal appeal against a decision made by your employer. Writing an Appeal Letter makes it clear to your employer that you disagree with their decision and sets out the reasons why you disagree. You can use this Appeal Letter to appeal against a disciplinary decision, a dismissal, a redundancy, or another decision against you (ie an unfair refusal of your Flexible working request).

For more information, read Appealing decisions made by employers.
What types of decisions can you appeal against using this Letter?
Use this Appeal Letter to appeal decisions made by an employer, including:
- disciplinary decisions (eg warnings for misconduct or poor performance)
- dismissals
- being made redundant
- other decisions (eg refusals to flexible working requests)
You can use this Letter to claim that:
- there is new evidence that supports your appeal
- the correct procedure was not followed when a decision was made
- the selection grounds for redundancy were unfair (you should also set out why)
- the employer decision was unfair for any other reason (you should also set out why)
Read Appealing decisions made by employers to find out more about the types of decisions you can appeal, how to do this, and the next steps following writing a formal Letter.
Can someone accompany me to the appeal hearing?

You can choose to be accompanied to any appeal hearing held by a colleague or a trade union representative. In this Appeal Letter, you can request to be accompanied by a colleague or a trade union representative. Your employer or HR officer cannot refuse this request.

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Important details
- The Appeal Letter is a formal notice. This means that you must serve it correctly to your employer. Before sending your Letter, check your employment contract and any relevant HR policies (eg your employer’s grievance procedure) for any rules about serving notices. If any such rules exist, make sure to follow them.
- If you hand-deliver your Appeal Letter, make sure to give it to the relevant party (eg your manager) personally. You should also keep a copy of the signed Letter along with anything else included with it (eg supporting documentation).
- If you post your Appeal Letter, make sure to use recorded delivery and keep a copy of the proof of posting and delivery. You should also keep a copy of the signed Letter and anything else included with it (eg supporting documentation).
- If you email your Appeal Letter, check that you are allowed to do so and keep ‘read receipts’ as proof of service. You should also keep a copy of the email along with any attachments and any ‘read receipts’.

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