Recent cases in the Employment Court and Employment Relations
Authority have seen employees receiving increased awards for hurt
and humiliation compensation.
Until recently, the quantum of awards had not changed
significantly over the past 20 years. For the 2013-2016 period
compensatory awards for unjustified dismissals averaged around
$6,000-$7,000, rendering the pursuit of personal grievances in the
Authority and Court a financially unsatisfactory option for most
employees.
There have been a rising number of Employment Court decisions
where significant compensation has been awarded. In one case a
$20,000 award for an unjustified disadvantage was described as
"moderate", and in another a $30,000 award for
unjustified dismissal was considered "relatively modest"
in the circumstances.
