How much compensation can I get from an employment tribunal?
Use the free calculator below to estimate your unfair dismissal or discrimination award.
Build your employment tribunal claim — free to start
Is there a cap on compensation?
Yes, for unfair dismissal claims. The compensatory award is capped at the lower of £123,543 or 52 weeks gross pay (2026/27). Discrimination claims have no cap, though injury to feelings is assessed separately using Vento bands.
How do Polkey reductions work?
A Polkey reduction is applied if the tribunal believes the employee would have been dismissed anyway, even if the wrong procedure was followed. The tribunal estimates the chance (0–100%) and reduces the award proportionally.
Does discrimination compensation have a cap?
No. Discrimination awards (including injury to feelings) are uncapped, unlike unfair dismissal. However, the tribunal must still assess compensation based on actual evidence of loss and injury.
What is injury to feelings?
Compensation for the distress and damage to feelings caused by discrimination. Assessed using Vento bands (2026/27): Lower (£1,300–£12,600), Middle (£12,600–£37,700), Upper (£37,700–£62,900+), based on severity and impact.
Can I get compensation without going to a full hearing?
Yes. Many claims settle at ACAS conciliation or via tribunal settlement. You may also negotiate a settlement directly with your employer, often for less than full tribunal compensation.
How long does it take to receive payment after winning?
Employers usually pay within 14–21 days of the tribunal order. If the employer fails to pay, you can apply to the court for enforcement. Expect the full process (claim to payment) to take 6–18 months.
How much compensation can I get from an employment tribunal?
Your average weekly pay before tax and National Insurance
How long you worked for the employer
Age multipliers: under 22 = 0.5× | 22–40 = 1.0× | 41+ = 1.5×
How long you expect to be without work (tribunal typically awards 4–6 months)
Check if your employer failed to follow ACAS disciplinary/dismissal procedures
Your Estimated Award
Statutory rights loss:
Compensatory award (after cap):
Total estimated award:
For discrimination claims, injury to feelings (£1,300–£62,900+) can be added. These figures do not include injury to feelings.
What These Figures Mean
Compensation for your lost job and service. Calculated as: years of service × weekly pay × age multiplier, subject to a weekly cap (£751) and a maximum of 20 years' service. Not awarded for discrimination-only claims unless also unfair dismissal.
Compensation for actual losses: wages during unemployment, estimated wages until re-employment, and statutory rights loss (£751 fixed). Capped at the lower of £123,543 or 52 weeks' gross pay, unless an ACAS uplift applies or discrimination (which has no cap).
If your employer failed to follow ACAS Code of Practice procedures, compensation increases by 25%.
What Can Increase Your Award
- ACAS Code of Practice breach: +25% uplift
- Discrimination claims: no cap on compensatory award; injury to feelings (Vento bands) added separately
- Longer unemployment period: increases past and future loss calculations
- Older age at dismissal: 41+ receives 1.5× age multiplier
What Can Reduce Your Award
- Polkey reduction: tribunal may reduce award if dismissal was likely anyway (up to 100%)
- Contributory fault: tribunal may reduce award if you contributed to dismissal
- Failure to mitigate: if you did not try to find new work, award is reduced
- Earnings since dismissal: actual wages earned offset losses
- Mitigation offered: if employer offered new role or compensation, may reduce award
Ready to build your claim?
Start for free and get expert guidance every step of the way.
Questions people ask
Yes, for unfair dismissal claims. The compensatory award is capped at the lower of £123,543 or 52 weeks' gross pay (2026/27 limits, effective 6 April 2026). Discrimination claims have no cap, though injury to feelings is assessed separately using Vento bands.
Get expert help with your claim
Our AI-powered platform guides you through every step — from drafting your claim to preparing for tribunal. Start free, no credit card needed.
Your claim, estimated
What could you actually be owed?
No sign-up, no card, no email. Your numbers just appear below as you type — then you decide whether to build the full case.
Employment Rights Act 1996