Calls for bigger compensation for discrimination at work

Thursday, 11 July 2024 at 07:53

People who face discrimination at work could be entitled to up £50k or one year's pay, under recommendations from the Jersey Employment Forum.

Currently, the maximum compensation an employee can receive for an act of discrimination is £10,000.

It's suggested that should rise to either £50,000 or 52 weeks' pay - whichever amount is higher.

Payouts are awarded by the Employment and Discrimination Tribunal where it finds in favour of claims by employees for breaches of Employment and Discrimination Laws.

Other recommendations are:

- Awarding up to eight week's pat for breaches of an employee's statutory employment rights. The current maximum is four week's pay.

- Extending the number of week's pay that can be awarded for unfair dismissal depending on the employee's length of service.

- Increasing the maximum sum that can be awarded for a breach of an employee’s contractual rights from £10,000 to £30,000.

- Giving the Tribunal the powerto anonymise its judgments in appropriate cases.

- Introducing a limited costs regime to sanction or deter vexatious claims or conduct.

Carla Benest, the Chair of the Employment Forum, said: "The current awards and jurisdictional limits have been in place for many years and, in some instance, have become devalued over time.

"Whilst many employers in Jersey are mindful of their responsibilities, serious breaches of the most basic employment rights continue to occur.

"In making its recommendations, the Forum's intention has been to create a fair balance between the rights of employees and the responsibilities of employers.”

The recommendations have been passed to the Social Security Minister for consideration.