Keeping up with the ever-changing landscape of employment law can be a daunting task for businesses of all sizes. Non-compliance can lead to costly employment tribunals, reputational damage, and operational disruption. This is where Mint HR Consultancy, a leading HR consultancy in Bristol and Somerset, can help.

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Our expert HR services provide businesses in Bristol with the knowledge and support needed to navigate complex employment law regulations. From onsite HR support and training to comprehensive HR consultancy in Bristol, we offer tailored solutions to meet your specific needs.

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The High Cost of Legal Fees defending Employment Tribunal Claims

 

Defending an employment tribunal claim can be a financial and reputational nightmare. Legal fees, often exceeding £300 per hour, quickly escalate, particularly for complex cases involving multiple witnesses and hearings.

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Typical legal fee cost estimates:

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• Wrongful dismissal: £2,000 - £8,000 + VAT

• Unfair dismissal (simple): £5,000 - £15,000 + VAT

• Unfair dismissal (complex): £10,000 - £40,000 + VAT

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Employment Tribunal Payout Limits for 2024 - (Unfair Dismissal & Breach of Contract)​

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• Max weekly pay for redundancy and unfair dismissal: £700

• Max payout for unfair dismissal or redundancy: £21,000 (based on 30 weeks' pay at the max wkly rate)

• Max compensation for unfair dismissal: £115,115

• Max compensation for breach of contract (like wrongful dismissal): £25,0007​​

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Injury to Feelings Awards - (Discrimination)

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In addition to financial losses, successful discrimination claimants can receive compensation for injury to feelings. While there's no upper limit or cap for these awards, tribunals generally follow the Vento bands as guidelines:

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• Lower band: £1,200 to £11,700 (less serious cases)

• Middle band: £11,700 to £35,200 (more serious cases)

• Upper band: £35,200 to £58,700 (most serious cases)

 

Please note: These are guidelines, and awards can exceed the upper band in exceptional circumstances. The final amount depends on the severity of the discrimination and its impact on the claimant.

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High-Profile Discrimination Cases​

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The potential consequences of employment law breaches are severe. High-profile discrimination cases highlight the importance of robust HR practices:

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• £4.7 million: Record disability discrimination payout (NatWest)

• £2 million: Sex discrimination and equal pay win (BNP Paribas)

• £200,000: Age discrimination victory (NHS)

• £2,500: Racial discrimination case (car dealership)

• £1,000: Sex discrimination win (brewery)

 

Beyond financial implications, tribunal claims can damage your business's reputation, disrupt operations, and erode employee morale.

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Proactive HR Management is Key​​

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To protect your business from costly employment tribunals, consider these proactive steps:​

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• Regular HR audits: Identify potential compliance gaps and address them promptly.

• Employee training: Educate staff on employment rights and responsibilities.

• Clear policies and procedures: Establish comprehensive HR policies to guide decision-making.

• Effective grievance handling: Address employee concerns promptly and fairly.

 

By partnering with Mint HR Consultancy, you gain access to expert HR advice, tailored HR training programs, and on-site Bristol HR support. Our comprehensive approach helps you mitigate employment law risks, build a positive workplace culture, and optimise your HR function.

 

​Don't let employment law compliance keep you up at night. Contact Mint HR Consultancy in Bristol today for expert HR guidance, training and support. 

 

Contact Laura today to organise a free 30 minute HR Consultation call - ​info@mintmanager.co.uk

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