Employers
paid out almost £4.2m in compensation for unlawful discrimination at work in
2003, according to research published this week.
Employment
tribunals awarded payments in 376 cases of disability, race and sex
discrimination in the 12 months to December 2003 – 37 less than the previous
year.
Of
the 376 cases, 58 per cent involve sex discrimination, 16 per cent race
discrimination, and 24 per cent disability discrimination. Combined
jurisdictions accounted for 2 per cent of all awards.
The
analysis, by Personnel Today’s sister
publication EOR (Equal Opportunities
Review), shows that the total compensation bill is less than the total for 2002
(which saw exceptional payouts in race and sex discrimination cases), but shows
an 11 per cent increase on the 2001 figure.
EOR
editor, Sue Johnstone, said
it has monitored workplace discrimination awards since 1989. Generally, the
total awards paid out show an upward trend, although there have been peaks and
troughs for race and disability cases.
Since
1999, the median award in all three jurisdictions (sex, race and disability)
has remained above £5,000.
Other
key findings:
–
More than half of the sex discrimination awards (51 per cent) were linked to
pregnancy and childcare issues
–
Applicants who have suffered discrimination can expect a payout of around
£5,000-£6,000 for the total award and between
£2.500-£4,000 for an injury to feelings award. (Injury to feelings
awards recompense individuals for the personal distress caused by unlawful
discrimination)
–
Five awards were for more than £100,000
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