If an employee is found to have been discriminated against an employment tribunal can award compensation for injury to feelings. This is compensation for the hurt and upset the employee has suffered.
Since it is difficult to quantify hurt and upset, there is guidance in place for how much compensation may be awarded in respect of injury to feelings. This works by categorising the discrimination into bands with an upper and lower limit, the tribunal identifies the band it considers the discrimination falls into and makes an award within the limits for that band. The limits on these bands are changing for claims made after 5th April 2021.
New increased limits
The new increased limits will be as follows:
- Lower band £900 to £9,100 (previously £900 to £9,000)
- Middle band £9,100 to £27,400 (previously £9,000 to £27,000)
- Upper band £27,400 to £45,600 (previously £27,000 to £45,000)
- Exceptional cases + £45,600 (previously + £45,000)
It is important for employers to ensure that they treat all employees fairly and appropriately to avoid discrimination arising.
Please do not hesitate to contact Kingfisher Professional Services Ltd for advice on discrimination or other employment law matters as we are happy to help.