At the start of April 2026, the Vento bands for awards for injury to feelings were updated.
What are Vento Bands?
In successful claims for discrimination and whistleblowing, an Employment Tribunal can award damages to employees for injury to feelings to remedy the hurt, humiliation and degradation suffered by them. Vento bands are used to determine the appropriate level of award.
Injury to feelings awards are entirely discretionary but are awarded (in some level) for most successful discrimination and whistleblowing claims.
Damages awarded for injury to feelings are separate from compensation for financial losses.
Updated Vento Bands
In respect of claims presented on or after 6 April 2026, the Vento bands are:
A lower band of £1,300 to £12,600 for less serious cases;
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- Typical scenarios:
- Minor or isolated incidents of discrimination
- Short-lived or less serious discriminatory actions
- Limited impact on the employee’s emotional well-being
- Typical scenarios:
A middle band of £12,600 to £37,700 for cases that do not merit an award in the upper band;
- Typical scenarios:
- Sustained or repeated discriminatory treatment
- Significant negative impact on an employee’s dignity
- Incidents that cause substantial emotional distress
An upper band of £37,700 to £62,900 for the most serious cases;
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- Typical scenarios:
- Extremely serious cases of discrimination
- Prolonged and malicious discriminatory behaviour
- Severe psychological impact on the victim
- Cases involving multiple discriminatory actions
- Typical scenarios:
- With the most exceptional cases capable of exceeding £62,900.
- Long-standing instances of discriminatory behaviour from an employer towards an employee. In some exceptional circumstances, the top band can be exceeded.
What factors will an Employment Tribunal consider when making an injury to feelings award?
When deciding whether to make an injury to feelings award, an Employment Tribunal will consider all of the relevant facts of the claim including:
- The seriousness of the treatment that the employee has been subjected to;
- What impact the treatment has had on the employee;
- The position of the person who has caused the injury to feelings; and
- How the employee’s grievance was handled by the employer (if they raised one).
Why professional legal guidance matters
Navigating Injury to Feelings Awards can be complex. Our experienced employment law team can:
- Assess your claim;
- Provide advice on the merits of your claim;
- Quantify your claim; and
- Represent you in your claim.
How Nelsons can help
Kate Frisby is an Associate in our expert Employment Law team. She provides advice on a wide range of employment matters, including performance management, drafting of policies and contracts, settlement agreement negotiations and assisting with claims in the Employment Tribunal.
If you have any questions concerning Vento Bands or any related subjects, please contact Kate or another member of the team in Derby, Leicester, or Nottingham on 0800 024 1976 or via our online enquiry form.
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If this article relates to a specific case/cases, please note that the facts of this case/cases are correct at the time of writing.