The annual increase in industrial tribunals awards were introduced in GB on 1st February 2002 and will be effective in N.Ireland from 10th March 2002. The Department of Employment and Learning have confirmed that by virtue of the Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002 No.24 the same provisions in force in GB will apply to N.Ireland.
Article 1 of the Order confirms that the increases will come into operation on the 10th March 2002 and apply to any case where the appropriate date falls on or after the 10th March 2002. For those cases where the appropriate date falls before the 10th March 2002, the previous limits apply. Article 4 contains transitional arrangements to determine the circumstances when the increases will apply.
The following are some of the increases made:
1. Maximum amount of weeks pay in increased from £240 to £250 per week.
2. Minimum amount of basic award compensation is increased from £3,300 to £3,400.
3. Limit on amount of compensatory award for Unfair Dismissal increased from £51,700 to £52,600
The Explanatory Note to the Order confirms that these increases reflect the increase in retail prices from September 2000 to September 2001.
Any employers currently negotiating termination of employment contracts or redundancies may make some saving by ensuring that the termination date falls before 10th March 2002; to avoid any ambiguity this should be clearly stated in writing to the employee.
The full text of the Order can be obtained by clicking on the following link:
http://www.northernireland-legislation.hmso.gov.uk/sr/sr2002/20020024.htm