UK: Injury to feelings award bands increased

Compensation awarded by an Employment Tribunal for breach of discrimination laws will usually include an award for injury to feelings. The Tribunals have set out guidance on how much should be awarded, depending on the seriousness of the breach. The guidance is not binding but Tribunals must have regard to it.

These so called “Vento” bands have been updated for claims presented on or after 6 April 2018:

• a lower band of £900 to £8,600 (less serious cases)
• a middle band of £8,600 to £25,700 (cases that do not merit an award in the upper band)
• an upper band of £25,700 to £42,900 (the most serious cases)
• with the most exceptional cases capable of exceeding £42,900

In Scotland, the figures may be lower as it is not yet clear whether the 10% increase to general damages, introduced in England and Wales in 2012, applies.