Basic Award

A Basic Award is awarded where a Tribunal finds an unfair dismissal.

It is calculated in exactly the same way as a redundancy payment.The principles of calculation remain the same, although the amount of a weeks pay is increased in February each year.

It can be reduced or extinguished for the following reasons:

1. Contributory conduct.

2. Unreasonable refusal of offer of re-instatement.

3. Where the dismissal is by reason of redundancy and the Claimant has already received a statutory redundancy payment.

Where the statutory procedure has not been followed the basic award can be increased or decreased depending on whether the default rests with the employer or employee.

Certain cases involving dismissal relating to trade union reasons or health and safety have a minimum basic award.

Bulgarian Nationals

Although Bulgaria and Romania are now members of the EEA, the right of their nationals to work in the UK is restricted in comparison to other EEA nationals.

Bulgarian and Romanian nationals have the right to enter and reside in the UK.  However, if they wish to work in the UK they will need an accession worker card unless they are exempt and this could involve the employer in applying for a work permit.  For more information, including details of the exemptions see here