Tribunal Intelligence · Yerty Findings
Employment tribunal awards: typical vs maximum payouts
Across the most recent published Ministry of Justice award tables (2023/24), the median unfair dismissal award was £6,746, while the highest single award reached £995,128 in a sex discrimination case. Reported maximums are exceptional. The median is the more realistic reference point.
| Claim | Median award | Maximum award |
|---|---|---|
| Unfair dismissal | £6,746 | £179,124 |
| Race discrimination | £10,253 | £431,768 |
| Sex discrimination | £16,161 | £995,128 |
| Disability discrimination | £17,218 | £964,465 |
The median is the realistic figure, not the headline
Half of awards fall below the median and half above. For unfair dismissal that midpoint is £6,746, based on the 646 claims that resulted in a compensation award in 2023/24. The seven-figure sums that make the news sit at the very top of the distribution and are not representative of a typical outcome.
Why discrimination awards run so much higher
Discrimination, whistleblowing and equal pay awards are not capped, so they can reach the figures seen on the right of the chart. The highest unfair dismissal award, £179,124, sits above the cap because it came from an exception case where the cap does not apply, such as a whistleblowing or health-and-safety dismissal.
The cap that explains the gap
Ordinary unfair dismissal compensation is capped at the lower of £123,543 (from 6 April 2026) or 52 weeks' gross pay. Discrimination has no equivalent ceiling. That single structural difference, rather than case severity alone, drives much of the spread between the two columns. The unfair dismissal cap is due to be removed entirely from January 2027.
Methodology & coverage
Figures are from the Ministry of Justice Employment Tribunal and EAT Tables 2023 to 2024, covering the year to 31 March 2024. They reflect only cases that reached a compensation award at a remedy hearing. The vast majority of disputes settle and never appear in this data, and many settle for more than the median or average shown. The £123,543 cap reflects the Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average employment tribunal payout?
It depends on the claim. The median unfair dismissal award was £6,746 in 2023/24, while the median for disability discrimination was £17,218. Medians are lower than averages, which are pulled up by rare large awards.
What is the maximum an employment tribunal can award?
There is no fixed ceiling for discrimination. In 2023/24 the highest award was £995,128 in a sex discrimination case. Ordinary unfair dismissal is capped at £123,543 from 6 April 2026, or 52 weeks' pay if lower.
Why are discrimination awards so much higher than unfair dismissal?
Discrimination, whistleblowing and equal pay awards are uncapped, so they can run into seven figures. Ordinary unfair dismissal compensation is capped, which holds the top of that column down.
Why is the highest unfair dismissal award above the cap?
The £179,124 figure comes from a case where the cap did not apply, such as a whistleblowing or health-and-safety dismissal. Ordinary unfair dismissal claims remain subject to the £123,543 cap.
Are these figures typical of what I would receive?
No. They describe past decided cases that reached a remedy ruling. Most disputes settle and never appear in the data, and any individual award depends entirely on the specific facts and losses.
Benchmark realistic award ranges
See award ranges, timings and patterns from cases with facts like yours.
Explore the Intelligence Hub →Sources
- Ministry of Justice — Tribunal Statistics, Employment Tribunal & EAT Tables 2023 to 2024 (gov.uk)
- Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order 2026 (legislation.gov.uk)
Related: discrimination success rates · claims by sector
How to cite this
Yerty (2026). Employment tribunal awards: typical vs maximum payouts. Yerty Intelligence Hub. https://yerty.co.uk/tribunal-data/employment-tribunal-award-amounts (last updated June 2026).Free to cite for non-commercial use with attribution to Yerty. For commercial use, bulk or API access, or AI training, see our Data Use & Citation policy.
Figures derived from Employment Tribunal decisions published by HM Courts & Tribunals Service on GOV.UK, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Analysis © Yerty. Re-use is subject to our Data Use & Citation policy.
Yerty provides information, not legal advice. The figures above describe past published awards and are not a prediction or valuation of any individual claim. For advice on your circumstances, consider speaking to a qualified employment solicitor.