Cannock decision criticised

In Bristow v Secretary of State for Defence a London South industrial tribunal (Chair: T J Mason) has expressed doubt about aspects of the guidance given by the EAT in Ministry of Defence v Cannock and others EOR57E on assessing compensation for servicewomen who were dismissed contrary to EC law because of their pregnancy.

Among the recommendations made by the EAT in Cannock were that: tribunals should take into account that 90% of service personnel gain alternative employment when coming out of the services; tribunals should maintain a sense of proportion; and it is unlikely that compensation for loss of earnings will be any different from awards given by tribunals for unfair dismissal.