My wife was sacked for misconduct. Can my employers make me go too?

Your employers cannot dismiss you simply because of your wife’s misconduct. If you have worked for your employer for more than a year and are being asked to leave simply because of your wife’s misconduct, you can bring an unfair dismissal claim at an Employment Tribunal as you have protection against unfair dismissal.

If your employment has lasted less than 12 months, you may be able to bring a claim for breach of contract.

If a single worker in a relationship with a colleague would not have been asked to leave in the same circumstances, you may also be able to claim direct marriage discrimination, regardless of how long you have worked for your employer.

There are now special rules you have to follow before you can make a tribunal claim, so seek advice first from your union representative if you have one, or from a solicitor or advice agency. Your trade union may also be able to help solve the problem without you losing your job.