Compensation increase for employment discrimination

Tribunal awards: tougher approach to employers

Employment tribunals' compensation awards in unlawful discrimination cases are spiralling upwards, new research has revealed.The annual survey by IRS Equal Opportunities Review into 316 compensation awards for discrimination on the grounds of sex, race and disability revealed a 38% increase in payouts to 3.5 million in 2000.Figures also showed that the average employment tribunal compensation award rose from 8,165 in 1999 to 11,193 in 2000, and that a record award of 100,000 for injury to feelings was made in a race discrimination case.Jane Mann, chairwoman of the Employment Lawyers Association, said: 'It is not surprising discrimination awards are increasing.

The loss resulting from discriminatory treatment is often very substantial and the tribunals have had the power for some time to award compensation that reflects an employee's true loss.'She said it was particularly interesting to note the 20% increase in awards for injury to feelings to 4,889 on average, and the fact that these awards account for such a large percentage of the total awards made.

'This could be a reflection of society's increasing disapproval of discriminatory conduct and the growing recognition of the distress caused to individuals who suffer discrimination,' she said.Richard Hegarty, chairman of the Law Society's employment law committee, said the increase in awards was a reflection of 'tribunals becoming tougher on employers'.He said: 'With discrimination now also extending to religion and sexual orientation, I expect the number of claims to increase and the compensation paid out to continue to rise over the coming years.'The research showed that, of the 3.5 million awarded, 50% was for sex discrimination, 34% for race discrimination and 18% for disability discrimination.LINKS: www.EORdirect.comAndrew Towler