EEOC Charges Hit Record High

The EEOC released statistics in January showing a record number of Charges of Discrimination filed by private sector employees in 2011.
Although some EEOC Charges contain multiple types of claims, the 99, 947 total charges filed consisted of:
    • 35.4%  race discrimination,
    • 25.8%  disability discrimination,
    • 23.5%  age discrimination,
    • 11.8%  national origin discrimination,
    • 4.2%    religious discrimination,
    • 2.8%    color based discrimination,
    • 0.9%    pay discrimination.
Of this total number of charges, 37.4% involved claims of employer retaliation. Retaliation continues to be the most commonly brought claim against employers. Religious discrimination claims saw the greatest percentage increase.
The monetary recoveries by the EEOC for disability related claims increased the most. Litigants received $27.1 million and EEOC administrative proceedings led to $103.4 million for claimants.
This should give employers some idea of which types of charges are the most frequently filed and the most costly to resolve. This information can help the prudent employer focus its no-harassment and non-discrimination training for managers.

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