Jersey Workers Gain More Protections Under New Legislation

Stronger Employee Protections and Higher Compensation to Take Effect in Jersey

New employment laws aimed at strengthening worker protections in Jersey will come into force on Friday, offering increased compensation for breaches of employment rights.

Approved by the States Assembly in April, the updated legislation introduces several key changes. Among them is a doubling of the maximum compensation for violations of statutory employment rights—from four weeks’ pay to eight weeks. The timeframe used to calculate compensation for unfair dismissal will also expand significantly, from five years to a minimum of 15 years.

In cases of discrimination, the maximum award for financial loss and emotional distress will rise from £10,000 to £30,000. Additionally, employers will now be required to provide written reasons for an employee’s dismissal.

Minister for Social Security, Deputy Lyndsay Feltham, said the changes are designed to ensure greater accountability among employers.

“These changes are an important step in providing more appropriate levels of compensation for employees who have their employment rights breached,” she said. “The vast majority of employers are good employers and have nothing to fear from these changes, but it’s important we send a clear message that the worst forms of poor treatment of employees will now carry an increased financial risk.”