Unfair dismissal is a serious issue that can have a significant impact on employees and their livelihoods. When an employee believes they have been unfairly dismissed from their job, they have the right to challenge their employer through an employment tribunal. These tribunals are designed to provide a fair and impartial resolution to disputes between employees and employers.
One of the key outcomes of an employment tribunal hearing for unfair dismissal is the award that is issued to the employee. This award is intended to compensate the employee for the unfair treatment they have experienced and to help them move forward after losing their job.
There are several different types of awards that can be made by an employment tribunal in cases of unfair dismissal. These awards can vary depending on the circumstances of the case and the impact that the unfair dismissal has had on the employee.
One of the most common types of awards in unfair dismissal cases is the compensatory award. This award is intended to compensate the employee for any financial losses they have incurred as a result of their dismissal. This can include loss of earnings, benefits, and bonuses that the employee would have received if they had not been unfairly dismissed. The compensatory award is designed to put the employee back in the financial position they would have been in if they had not been unfairly dismissed.
In addition to the compensatory award, an employment tribunal may also make a basic award in unfair dismissal cases. The basic award is calculated based on the employee’s length of service with the employer and their age at the time of dismissal. This award is intended to provide a minimum level of compensation to employees who have been unfairly dismissed.
In some cases, an employment tribunal may also make an award for injury to feelings in unfair dismissal cases. This type of award is made in cases where the employee has experienced emotional distress or humiliation as a result of their dismissal. The amount of the award will depend on the severity of the injury to feelings that the employee has experienced.
It is important to note that there are limits on the amount of awards that can be made by an employment tribunal in unfair dismissal cases. The compensatory award is subject to a statutory cap, which is set at a maximum of £89,493 (as of April 2022). This means that even if an employee has suffered significant financial losses as a result of their unfair dismissal, they may not be able to recover more than the statutory cap in compensation.
In addition to the financial awards that can be made by an employment tribunal in unfair dismissal cases, the tribunal may also make other types of awards. For example, the tribunal may make a reinstatement order, which requires the employer to reinstate the employee to their former position. Alternatively, the tribunal may make a re-engagement order, which requires the employer to offer the employee a different position with the company.
Overall, the awards that can be made by an employment tribunal in cases of unfair dismissal are designed to provide fair compensation to employees who have been unfairly treated by their employers. These awards are intended to help employees move forward after losing their jobs and to hold employers accountable for their actions.
In conclusion, employment tribunal awards for unfair dismissal are an important tool for protecting the rights of employees and ensuring that they are treated fairly by their employers. These awards can provide financial compensation to employees who have been unfairly dismissed, as well as other remedies to help them move forward after losing their jobs. If you believe you have been unfairly dismissed from your job, it is important to seek legal advice and consider making a claim through an employment tribunal.