Unlawful discrimination claims cost employers nearly £4 million

According to a survey by Equal Opportunities Review release in August 2002 employment tribunals awarded £3.88 million in 2001 for discrimination claims.

The largest award in a disability discrimination case was £278, 801. Sex discrimination claims also showed some high awards including £190,633 for a woman made redundant because she was pregnant. The figures when announced for 2002 are likely to significantly increase and will include a record £1.4 million award in January 2002 to former City analyst Julie Bower in her se discrimination case against Schroeder Securities.

The number of successful sexual harassment cases increased from 29 in 2000 to 62 in 2001.

The acting editor of the Equal Opportunities Review commend:-

"With figures set to increase next year, employers can't afford to pay lip service to treating staff fairly. Many of the awards were made against organisations that already had equal opportunities policies in place. Employers need to be seen actively implementing the policies."