In January, the EEOC reported that it received a record 99,947 Charges of Discrimination and resolved 112,499 pending claims (reducing its backlog for the first time since 2002). Although many Charges cite multiple legal violations, retaliation remains the most frequent cited basis (at 37.4%) followed by race (at 35.4%). The number of sex and race discrimination allegations declined over FY 2010, but the number of age and disability discrimination allegations increased.
"Through its combined enforcement, mediation and litigation programs, the EEOC . . . obtain[ed] a record $455.6 million in relief for private sector, state, and local employees and applicants, a more than $51 million increase from the past fiscal year." The EEOC also filed 300 lawsuits (almost 6/week on average).
Monetary relief for violations of the ADA increased the most over the prior fiscal year, with the EEOC collecting $103.4 million. Back impairments were the most frequently cited impairment under the ADA, followed by other orthopedic impairments, depression, anxiety disorder and diabetes.
This was the first full year for the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) and the EEOC received 245 charges under this new statute.
More detailed statistics are available from the EEOC's website.
