Increase to injury to feelings awards from 6 April 2020

The Vento bands used for calculating injury to feelings awards in discrimination claims are increasing for employment tribunal claims presented on or after 6 April 2020.

The new bands are as follows: 

• Lower band of £900 to £9,000 (for less serious cases)
• Middle band of £9,000 to £27,000 (for cases that do not merit an award in the upper band) 
• Upper band of £27,000 to £45,000 (for the most serious cases)

Exceptionally, awards may exceed £45,000.

The increases are in line with the increase in the Retail Prices Index. 

Injury to feelings compensation is also awarded in claims for detrimental treatment, where, for example, the treatment is on grounds of whistleblowing, pregnancy, maternity or other family leave or the exercise of working time rights (including holiday and rest breaks). The same bands are likely to apply in detrimental treatment cases.  

Employers need to be aware of the increased bands, as this impacts on the value of any relevant claims brought on or after 6 April 2020.