The Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order 2017 increases the limits applying to certain awards of employment tribunals, and other amounts payable under employment legislation, from 6th April 2017. The increases in the Schedule to the Order apply where the event giving rise to the entitlement to compensation or other payments occurred on or after 6th April 2017. The key changes are as follows:
• The limit on the amount of compensatory award for unfair dismissal increases from £78,962 to £80,541.
• The maximum amount of “a week’s pay” for the purpose of calculating a statutory redundancy payment or for various awards including the basic or additional award for unfair dismissal increases from £479 to £489.
• The minimum basic award in cases where a dismissal is automatically unfair because of health and safety, being a trustee of an occupational pension scheme or an employee representative, or because of trade union membership or activities, increases from £5,853 to £5,970.

This update provides summary information and comment on the subject areas covered. Where employment tribunal and appellate court cases are reported, the information does not set out all of the facts, the legal arguments presented and the judgments made in every aspect of the case. Click on the links to access full details. If no link is provided, contact us for more information.  Employment law is subject to constant change either by statute or by interpretation by the courts. While every care has been taken in compiling this information, SM&B cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Specialist legal advice must be taken on any legal issues that may arise before embarking upon any formal course of action.