PRESS RELEASE
3-5-08
Discrimination Charges Highest in Five Years; Agency Obtains $345 Million for Victims
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) received a total of 82,792 private sector discrimination charge filings last fiscal year, the highest volume of incoming charges since 2002 and the largest annual increase (9%) since the early 1990s, the agency reported today as part of its Fiscal Year 2007 enforcement and litigation statistics. The data, available online at www.eeoc.gov/stats/charges.html, also show that the EEOC recovered $345 million in monetary relief for job bias victims.
“Corporate America needs to do a better job of proactively preventing discrimination and addressing complaints promptly and effectively,” said Commission Chair Naomi C. Earp. “To ensure that equality of opportunity becomes a reality in the 21st century workplace, employers need to place a premium on fostering inclusive and discrimination-free work environments for all individuals.”
According to the EEOC’s FY 2007 data, allegations of discrimination based on race, retaliation, and sex were the most frequently filed charges, continuing a long-term trend. Additionally, nearly all major charge categories showed double digit percentage increases from the prior year -- a rare occurrence. The jump in charge filings may be due to a combination of factors, including greater awareness of the law, changing economic conditions, and increased diversity and demographic shifts in the labor force.
Basis of Charge Filing | FY 2007 | FY 2006 | Percentage Increase/Historical Comparison |
---|---|---|---|
RACE | 30,510 | 27,238 | Up 12% to highest level since FY 1994 |
RETALIATION | 26,663 | 22,555 | Up 18% to record high level, double since FY 1992 |
SEX/GENDER | 24,826 | 23,247 | Up 7% to highest level since FY 2002 |
AGE | 19,103 | 16,548 | Up 15%, largest annual increase since FY 2002 |
DISABILITY | 17,734 | 15,575 | Up 14% to highest level since FY 1998 |
NATIONAL ORIGIN | 9,369 | 8,327 | Up 12%, above 9,000 for second time ever |
RELIGION | 2,880 | 2,541 | Up 13% to record high level, double since FY 1992 |
TOTAL CHARGES | 82,792 | 75,768 | Up 9%, largest annual increase since FY 1993 |
NOTE: Individuals may allege multiple types of discrimination in a single case.
Last year, for the first time, retaliation was the second highest charge category (behind race), surpassing sex-based charges in total filings with EEOC offices nationwide. Historically, race has been the most frequently filed charge since the EEOC became operational in 1965. In addition to the statutory bases of discrimination, charges filed with the EEOC and state and local Fair Employment Practices Agencies (combined) also trended upward for the high visibility issues of pregnancy discrimination and sexual harassment.
During FY 2007, pregnancy charges surged to a record high level of 5,587, up 14% from the prior fiscal year’s record of 4,901. Sexual harassment filings increased for the first time since FY 2000, numbering 12,510 – up 4% from the prior fiscal year’s total of 12,025. Additionally, a record 16% of sexual harassment charges were filed by men, up from 9% in the early 1990s. Other year-end statistics released today show that the EEOC:The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Further information about the federal agency is available on its web site at www.eeoc.gov.
This page was last modified on March 5, 2008.