{"id":29209,"date":"2025-03-03T13:20:07","date_gmt":"2025-03-03T13:20:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prelive-tdw.visibleone.app\/insight-and-news\/factors-in-deciding-damages-for-injury-to-feelings-in-discrimination-cases\/"},"modified":"2025-09-22T03:08:28","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T03:08:28","slug":"factors-in-deciding-damages-for-injury-to-feelings-in-discrimination-cases","status":"publish","type":"insight-and-news","link":"https:\/\/www.tannerdewitt.com\/zh-hant\/insight-and-news\/factors-in-deciding-damages-for-injury-to-feelings-in-discrimination-cases\/","title":{"rendered":"Factors in deciding damages for \u201cinjury to feelings\u201d in discrimination cases"},"content":{"rendered":"\n    \n\n<div style=\"background-image:url('https:\/\/www.tannerdewitt.com\/wp-content\/themes\/tanner-de-witt\/images\/insightdetails.jpeg')\"\n    class=\"insight-news-detail-hero\" id=\"insight-news-detail-hero\">\n\n\t\t<div style=\"background-color:\" class=\"insight-news-detail-hero-overlay \"><\/div>\n            <div class=\"z-[0]\">\n                <div class=\"insight-news-breadcrumbs flex items-end practice-areas-featured-breadcrumbs \">\n                    <a class=\"page-link no-underline\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tannerdewitt.com\/zh-hant\/\">Home<\/a>                <\/div>\n\n\n                <div class=\"hero-title\">\n                    <h1>\n                        Factors in deciding damages for \u201cinjury to feelings\u201d in discrimination cases                    <\/h1>\n                <\/div>\n                \n                    <div style=\"\" class=\"hero-date \">\n\n                        <span class=\"month\">Mar<\/span>\n                        <span class=\"day\">03<\/span>\n                        <span class=\"year\">2025<\/span>\n                    <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n    \n\n    \n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<script >\n    (function () {\n        document.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\", () => {\n\n            const breadCrumbsContainer = Array.from(document.querySelectorAll(\".practice-areas-featured-breadcrumbs\"));\n\n            breadCrumbsContainer.forEach(container => {\n                const breadCrumbLinks = Array.from(container.querySelectorAll('.page-link'));\n                const breadCrumbSeperators = Array.from(container.querySelectorAll('.separator'));\n\n                if (Array.from(breadCrumbLinks).length === 1) {\n                    const homeNode = breadCrumbLinks[0];\n\n                    if (!homeNode) {\n                        return\n                    }\n\n                    const postTypeNode = homeNode.cloneNode(true);\n                    postTypeNode.textContent = \"Insights and News\";\n                    container.insertAdjacentHTML('beforeend', `<span class=\"separator practice-areas-featured-breadcrumb-item-slash\">\/<\/span>`)\n                    container.insertAdjacentElement('beforeend', postTypeNode)\n                    breadCrumbLinks.push(postTypeNode);\n\n                    if (\"Insights\") {\n                        const categoryNode = homeNode.cloneNode(true);\n\n                        categoryNode.textContent = \"Insights\";\n                        container.insertAdjacentHTML('beforeend', `<span class=\"separator practice-areas-featured-breadcrumb-item-slash\">\/<\/span>`)\n                        container.insertAdjacentElement('beforeend', categoryNode)\n                        breadCrumbLinks.push(categoryNode);\n                    }\n\n\n                    const titleNode = homeNode.cloneNode(true);\n\n                    titleNode.textContent = \"Factors in deciding damages for \u201cinjury to feelings\u201d in discrimination cases\";\n                    container.insertAdjacentHTML('beforeend', `<span class=\"separator practice-areas-featured-breadcrumb-item-slash\">\/<\/span>`)\n                    container.insertAdjacentElement('beforeend', titleNode)\n                    breadCrumbLinks.push(titleNode);\n\n\n\n\n                }\n\n                breadCrumbLinks.forEach((link, index) => {\n\n                    link.classList.add('practice-areas-featured-breadcrumb-item-name');\n                    const origin = window.location.origin;\n                    const href = window.location.href;\n\n                    const originSplitter = window.location.href.includes(\"insight-and-news\") ? \"insight-and-news\" : window.location.href.includes('insights-and-news') ? \"insights-and-news\" : \"\"\n\n                    const paths = href.split(originSplitter);\n                    const links = paths[1].split(\"\/\").filter(Boolean)\n\n\n                    const resolvedOrigin = originSplitter ? (href.split(originSplitter)[0] || \"\") : (origin + \"\/\")\n\n                    if (index === 0) {\n\n                        if (!originSplitter) {\n                            link.href = origin\n                        } else {\n                            link.href = resolvedOrigin;\n                        }\n\n\n                    } else if (index === 1) {\n                        link.href = resolvedOrigin + originSplitter\n\n                    }\n                    else if (index === 2) {\n                        console.log(links)\n                        link.href = resolvedOrigin + originSplitter + \"\/\" + (links[0] || \"\")\n                    }\n                    else if (index === 3) {\n\n                        link.href = resolvedOrigin + originSplitter + \"\/\" + (links[0] || \"\") + \"\/\" + (links[1] || \"\")\n\n                    }\n\n\n\n                    \/\/ const words = link.textContent.split(\" \")\n                    \/\/ if (words.length > 4) {\n                    \/\/     link.textContent = words.slice(0, 4).join(\" \") + \"...\"\n                    \/\/ }\n\n                })\n\n                breadCrumbSeperators.forEach(separator => {\n                    separator.textContent = \"\/\"\n                    separator.classList.add('practice-areas-featured-breadcrumb-item-slash')\n                });\n\n\n            })\n\n\n        })\n        removeDivTag()\n    })();\n\n    function removeDivTag() {\n        console.log(\"remasfljas\");\n        const editorContainer = document.querySelector(\".editor-wysiwyg\");\n        \/\/ editorContainer.innerText = editorContainer.innerText.replace(\"<\/div>\", \"\")\n        Array.from(editorContainer.childNodes).forEach(el => {\n            if (el.textContent.includes(\"<\/div>\")) {\n                el.textContent = \"\"\n            }\n        })\n    }\n<\/script>\n\n<div class=\"editor-wysiwyg my-[40px]\">\n<div class=\"single-section\">\n<p>Under express statutory provisions in each of the anti-discrimination ordinances of Hong Kong, a successful claimant may be awarded damages for \u201cinjury to feelings\u201d in addition to other remedies. In this regard, Hong Kong follows the\u00a0<em>Vento\u00a0<\/em>scale established in the English case of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bailii.org\/ew\/cases\/EWCA\/Civ\/2002\/1871.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Vento v Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police\u00a0<\/em>[2002] EWCA Civ 1871<\/a>\u00a0which sets out 3 bands of damages based on the seriousness of the discrimination. For more details on the\u00a0<em>Vento\u00a0<\/em>scale, please see our article on the recently inflation adjusted\u00a0<em>Vento\u00a0<\/em>scale applicable to Hong Kong\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tannerdewitt.com\/legal-update-recent-discrimination-case-uplifts-potential-damages-for-injury-to-feelings\/\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In the recent UK Employment Appeal Tribunal (\u201c<strong>EAT<\/strong>\u201d) judgment of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/assets.publishing.service.gov.uk\/media\/679a5d7a0601880a921f78a1\/Eddie_Stobart_Ltd_v_Miss_Caitlin_Graham__2025__EAT_14.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Eddie Stobart Limited v Miss Caitlin Graham<\/em>\u00a0[2025] EAT 14<\/a>, the EAT has provided a helpful summary of the factors and categories of evidence for determining the appropriate band of damages within the\u00a0<em>Vento\u00a0<\/em>scale, which is a useful guide to the practical application of that scale to the facts and circumstances of a particular case.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Case summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The claimant was employed by the respondent at one of its depots. A few months into the employment, the claimant became aware that she was pregnant.<\/p>\n<p>Before the claimant went on her maternity leave, the respondent underwent a reorganisation and would cease certain functions in the depot the claimant was working at. A redundancy process began, and the claimant was unsuccessful in persuading the respondent to give preference to her to continue with her employment.<\/p>\n<p>The claimant, while on maternity leave, submitted 2 grievances by emails to the relevant individuals of the respondent regarding the respondent\u2019s failure to give her preference over other employees<ins>,<\/ins>\u00a0pursuant to relevant regulations.<\/p>\n<p>However, as was only discovered later, the 2 grievances emails were automatically blocked by the IT firewall system of the respondent. While the claimant mentioned that she also lodged the grievances during various meetings, the responsible persons of the respondent never followed up as the claimant was away on her maternity leave at the time.<\/p>\n<p>The claimant was eventually made redundant.<\/p>\n<p>At the Employment Tribunal (\u201c<strong>ET<\/strong>\u201d) the claimant claimed,\u00a0<em>inter alia<\/em>, discrimination on the basis of her pregnancy and damages for \u201cinjury to feelings\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>The ET dismissed all her other claims but held in her favour that:-<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>by failing to respond to the grievances because the claimant was on maternity leave, the respondent discriminated against the claimant on the basis of her pregnancy; and<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>accordingly, the claimant entitled to damages for injury to feelings. She was awarded damages of \u00a310,000 for\u00a0<del>\u201c<\/del>injury to feelings<del>\u201d<\/del>\u00a0which was at the lower end of the middle\u00a0<em>Vento<\/em>\u00a0band (at the time between \u00a39,900 to \u00a329,600).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The respondent brought an appeal against only the quantum of damages for injury to feelings on the ground that the award of \u00a310,000 was clearly excessive.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Key factors of assessing damages<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In considering the appropriateness of the ET\u2019s award of damages, the EAT summarised the key factors and categories of evidence as to the assessment of injury to feelings for the determination of the appropriate\u00a0<em>Vento\u00a0<\/em>band. While not providing a checklist, the EAT held that the tribunals should consider the following categories of evidence.<\/p>\n<p>(1)\u00a0<strong>The claimant\u2019s description of their injury<\/strong>\u00a0is the appropriate starting point. While the tribunals should be ready to scrutinise apparent upset, it should also consider whether there is any fragility that makes the claimant more vulnerable to upset (e.g. additional stress of an expectant mother).<\/p>\n<p>(2) The claimant should set out the\u00a0<strong>duration of consequences<\/strong>\u00a0including how long the injured feelings lasted and how they are manifested. Such duration may include \u201c<em>an acute stage, a recovery stage, and residual symptoms<\/em>\u201d and in serious cases a prognosis will be relevant.<\/p>\n<p>(3) It is relevant to consider the discriminatory treatment\u2019s\u00a0<strong>effect on past, current and future work<\/strong>. This includes looking at the evidence of the effect on the enjoyment and fulfilment of work and the claimant\u2019s self-esteem in their occupational life.<\/p>\n<p>(4) The tribunals may further consider the\u00a0<strong>effect on personal life or quality of life<\/strong>\u00a0including any loss of amenity (e.g. adverse impact to personal relationships and hobbies). Evidence from a third-party\u2019s observations may be helpful in the determination.<\/p>\n<p>If there are insufficient direct evidence on the actual injury to feelings which is common in disputes of this nature, the tribunal may draw inferences from the manner of discrimination which would otherwise have no bearing on the assessment of the extent of injury to feelings.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Outcome of appeal<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Taking into account the above factors and applying them to the current case, the EAT allowed the appeal stating that the only evidence before the ET as to the injury to feeling suffered was the claimant\u2019s own statement that \u201c<em>she was \u2018shocked\u2019 and \u2018upset\u2019 because of a \u2018dismissive\u2019 attitude towards \u2018what [she] had to say\u2019 and her \u2018rights\u2019<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>EAT further noted that the manner of discrimination, which is relevant to infer injury to feelings only where there is a lack of direct evidence, was only that the relevant persons missed the opportunity to ask about the grievances and did not justify the middle\u00a0<em>Vento\u00a0<\/em>band.<\/p>\n<p>In the circumstances, EAT allowed the appeal and the damages for injury to feelings were reduced to \u00a32,000, at the lower end of the bottom\u00a0<em>Vento<\/em>\u00a0band (at the time between \u00a3990 to \u00a39,900).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Key takeaway<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Whilst the above decision by the EAT is not binding on HK courts, it provides useful guidance on what may be the relevant factors to consider in determining the amount of damages to be awarded to a discrimination claimant in respect of his\/ her injury to feelings.<\/p>\n<p>It is unlikely to be insufficient for a claimant to merely assert that he\/ she has suffered \u201cinjury to feelings\u201d. The claimant will need to provide concrete and direct evidence to justify any substantial award of damages.<\/p>\n<p>Employers should also be cautious when handling potential discrimination complaints as the manner of handling such cases may still be relevant as indirect evidence to justify higher band of the\u00a0<em>Vento\u00a0<\/em>scale where commonly direct evidence is insufficient as explained by the EAT in\u00a0<em><u>Eddie Stobart Ltd<\/u><\/em>\u00a0above.<\/p>\n<p>For a more general overview of the anti-discrimination laws in Hong Kong, please see our recent article\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tannerdewitt.com\/overview-of-anti-discrimination-laws-in-hong-kong\/\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\"><strong><em>Russell Bennett and Mark Chiu<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>For more information on employment matters, please contact:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tannerdewitt.com\/our-people\/russell-bennett\/\">Russell Bennett<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Partner |\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:russellbennett@tannerdewitt.com\">Email<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tannerdewitt.com\/our-people\/mark-chiu\/\">Mark Chiu<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Consultant |\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:markchiu@tannerdewitt.com\">Email<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><em>Disclaimer: This publication is general in nature and is not intended to constitute legal advice. You should seek professional advice before taking any action in relation to the matters dealt with in this publication.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Under express statutory provisions in each of the anti-discrimination ordinances of Hong Kong, a successful claimant may be awarded damages for \u201cinjury to feelings\u201d in addition to other remedies. In this regard, Hong Kong follows the\u00a0Vento\u00a0scale established in the English case of\u00a0Vento v Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police\u00a0[2002] EWCA Civ 1871\u00a0which sets out 3 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"insight-category":[1121],"insight-month":[1156],"insight-practice-area":[1131],"insight-year":[1147],"class_list":["post-29209","insight-and-news","type-insight-and-news","status-publish","hentry","insight-category-legal-updates-and-insights","insight-month-march","insight-practice-area-employment","insight-year-1147"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tannerdewitt.com\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/insight-and-news\/29209","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tannerdewitt.com\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/insight-and-news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tannerdewitt.com\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/insight-and-news"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tannerdewitt.com\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.tannerdewitt.com\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/insight-and-news\/29209\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30422,"href":"https:\/\/www.tannerdewitt.com\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/insight-and-news\/29209\/revisions\/30422"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tannerdewitt.com\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29209"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tannerdewitt.com\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29209"},{"taxonomy":"insight-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tannerdewitt.com\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/insight-category?post=29209"},{"taxonomy":"insight-month","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tannerdewitt.com\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/insight-month?post=29209"},{"taxonomy":"insight-practice-area","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tannerdewitt.com\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/insight-practice-area?post=29209"},{"taxonomy":"insight-year","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tannerdewitt.com\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/insight-year?post=29209"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}