Under the Equality Act 2010, compensation for injury to feelings may be awarded in discrimination cases. In Vento v Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police (No.2) [2003] IRLR 102 CA (decided under the repealed Sex Discrimination Act 1975) the Court of Appeal set out three bands of compensation for injury to feelings, depending on the seriousness of the case. In Da'Bell v NSPCC [2010] IRLR 19 EAT (decided under the repealed Disability Discrimination Act 1995) the Employment Appeal Tribunal set out the up-to-date values of the three bands:
| Band |
Gravity of injury to feelings |
Recommended compensation |
| Top band |
The most serious cases, for example where there has been a lengthy campaign of discriminatory harassment |
£18,000 to £30,0001 |
| Middle band |
Serious cases that do not merit an award in the top band |
£6,000 to £18,000 |
| Lower band |
Less serious cases, for example a single occurrence of discrimination |
£5002 to £6,000 |
1In exceptional cases, the award may exceed £30,000.
2In Vento v Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police (No.2) the Court of Appeal said that awards of less than £500 should be avoided as they risk not being a proper recognition of injury to feelings.
| Band |
Gravity of injury to feelings |
Recommended compensation |
| Top band |
The most serious cases, for example where there has been a lengthy campaign of discriminatory harassment |
£18,000 to £30,0001 |
| Middle band |
Serious cases that do not merit an award in the top band |
£6,000 to £18,000 |
| Lower band |
Less serious cases, for example a single occurrence of discrimination |
£5002 to £6,000 |
1In exceptional cases, the award may exceed £30,000.
2In Vento v Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police (No.2) the Court of Appeal said that awards of less than £500 should be avoided as they risk not being a proper recognition of injury to feelings. |
Related quick reference items
Compensation - collective rights
Compensation - detrimental treatment
Compensation - discipline and grievance hearings
Compensation - discrimination and equal pay
Compensation - dismissal
Compensation - fixed-term employees
Compensation - flexible working
Compensation - part-time workers
Compensation - pay and statutory payments
Compensation - suspension from work
Compensation - time off work
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