Employment disputes

New and updated

• Type:

  Legal timetable

  Extension of time limits for bringing employment tribunal claims

  Draft Regulations have been published confirming that the increase to employment tribunal time limits will come into effect from 1 October 2026.

• Type:

  Legal timetable

  Confidentiality clauses void in harassment and discrimination cases

  Updated to confirm that this measure is expected to come into effect in 2027, according to the Government's updated timeline.

• Type:

  Quick reference

  Unfair dismissal compensation

  Updated to reflect an increase in unfair dismissal compensation limits, effective from 6 April 2026. 

• Type:

  How to

  How to decide whether to settle or fight an employment tribunal claim

  The maximum amount for an unfair dismissal compensatory award is increased for claims about dismissals on or after 6 April 2026. 

• Type:

  FAQs

  What is the unfair dismissal basic award?

  The maximum amount of a week's pay for calculating the basic unfair dismissal award is increased for dismissals on or after 6 April 2026.

• Type:

  FAQs

  What is the unfair dismissal compensatory award?

  The maximum amount for a compensatory award is increased for claims about dismissals on or after 6 April 2026. 

• Type:

  FAQs

  Is there a limit on the compensation that can be awarded in a discrimination claim?

  Increased guideline amounts for injury to feelings compensation apply for claims made on or after 6 April 2026. 

• Type:

  Employment law guide

  Discrimination law: burden of proof

  This guide explains the burden of proof when discrimination claims brought under the Equality Act 2010 come before an employment tribunal.

• Type:

  Legal timetable

  Statutory redundancy pay and employment tribunal award limits increase

  Limits applying to various tribunal awards and other amounts payable under employment legislation increase on 6 April 2026, including the maximum amount of a week's pay for redundancy payments. HR teams should review the potential cost exposure of redundancies and disputes.

• Type:

  How to

  How to avoid a dispute escalating into industrial action

  Updated to reflect the removal of the 12-week period for automatic protection from unfair dismissal for taking part in industrial action. Under Employment Rights Act 2025 provisions in force from 18 February 2026, relevant dismissals will be automatically unfair no matter how long a strike lasts.