UK Employment Dispute

Hey guys,

I left my old job after qualifying in a qualification. Before my exams, my manager assured me I’d get a pay rise when I qualified. After I passed, both he and the finance director repeated this verbally and even gave me a date it would be confirmed, but nothing ever happened.

A white male colleague who qualified before me got his salary increase immediately and had it backdated. His wasn’t linked to a promotion, mine never happened at all. This left me feeling underpaid and potentially discriminated against.

Because the raise never came, I resigned and they deducted my study clawback fees, which I wouldn’t have owed if they’d honoured what they promised.

I went to ACAS and put forward a settlement including the clawback, 5 months of underpayment, and injury to feelings. The company has now offered £5k total to settle everything.

My friend who’s been through this says I should: 1. Tell ACAS I need time to consider the offer (so I don’t reject it), and 2. Submit a DSAR to apply pressure and potentially get a better offer.

I’m unsure. I don’t want to risk losing the £5k, but I also don’t want to settle for less than what’s fair.

What would you do? Accept the £5k or submit the DSAR and push for more?