According to the FY 2008 data, all major categories of charge filings in the private sector (which includes charges filed against state and local governments) increased. Charges based on age and retaliation saw the largest annual increases, while allegations based on race, sex and retaliation continued as the most frequently filed charges. The surge in charge filings may be due to multiple factors, including economic conditions, increased diversity and demographic shifts in the labor force, employees’ greater awareness of the law, EEOC’s focus on systemic litigation, and changes to EEOC’s intake practices.
In particular, there were 95,402 total discrimination charges filed in the last fiscal year (compared to less than 83,000 in FY 2007), including 33,937 race discrimination, 28,372 sex discrimination, 10,601 national origin discrimination, 3,273 religion discrimination, 32,690 retaliation, 24,582 age discrimination, 19,453 disability discrimination and 954 Equal Pay Act Charges filed.
The FY 2008 data also show that the EEOC filed 290 lawsuits, resolved 339 lawsuits, and resolved 81,081 private sector charges. Through its combined enforcement, mediation and litigation programs, the EEOC recovered approximately $376 million in monetary relief for thousands of discrimination victims and obtained significant remedial relief from employers to promote inclusive and discrimination-free workplaces.
Insomniacs can read the full press release at http://www.eeoc.gov/press/3-11-09.html.
NOTICE: This summary is designed merely to inform and alert you of recent legal developments. It does not constitute legal advice and does not apply to any particular situation because different facts could lead to different results. Readers should not act upon this information without legal advice. If you have any questions about anything you have read, you should consult with an attorney.
