In the UK, most of my lawyer friends would tell you that lawyering up is the last course of action you want to take, as it tends to make issues more complicated, expensive and combative, though you might want to be careful what you admit / agree to.
My wifes a solicitor. :)
Your employer doesn't even need to know you consulted a lawyer.
* OP is in the wrong and employer can't afford to pursue further. OP loses a lot of reputation as word spreads.
* OP is in the wrong and employer can't afford to pursue now. Five years down the line, when Oracle acquires employer, OP is sued for five years of damages.
* OP is in the right, but employer's lawyer crafts a very intimidating and compelling legal letter. OP backs down, having blown the relationship with the lawyer, loses rights, and is fired two months later.
It's helpful to be able to say "no" with conviction if one is right, or not press an issue if one is wrong.
Not sure if the incentives are the same in the UK, but in the US, most lawyers retained in matters like this work for the client.
In that lawyers advise, the client decides, and then the lawyers attempt to realize the goal the client has chosen (if they decide to keep working for them).
Most people in the US seem to look at legal counsel as "Do what the lawyer says," when it's actually "listen to what the lawyer says, ask about alternatives, and then choose the course you want to take."
Or as I've heard it explained: a lawyer's default is to counsel the courses of action that will allow them to win a hypothetical jury trial two years from now.
When in reality, most things never get there, and some optimal courses of action for trial are antagonistic in a pre-trial context.
For the record, I've used solicitors before and it was a ball-ache. The first thing they tell you is the judges want you to have at least made an attempt at discourse before you can go to court.
In the UK you're entitled to 1 hour of free legal aid, so it's hardly expensive to consult with one who can direct you to the right person and place.
