Financial Awards in Discrimination Cases

Financial Awards in Discrimination Cases

The government has published updated bands of financial awards for cases of discrimination commencing after 6^th April 2023.

These bands are known as “Vento Bands” and apply for injury to feelings in any case of discrimination that is upheld.   Awards under this heading may be in addition to compensation for unfair dismissal, or if the employer is high handed or capricious, in addition to further damages.

The lowest band available to a judge is £1,100 to £11,200.

The middle band where discrimination or harassment is more than a one off, but is a course of conduct over time, is £11,200 to £33,700.

The highest band, for more excessive behaviour which is discriminatory is £33,700 to £56,200.

Awards under Vento Bands are intended to compensate a victim for injury to feelings and the Vento Guidelines set out basic criteria to help judges put cases into the lower, middle or upper band. These depend very much on the suffering of the victim, the effect on their lives, and how soon they will be able to put the matter behind them.   Most cases of discrimination don’t come alone, and often have elements of unfair dismissal as well, which would attract additional compensation to the injury to feelings.