EEOC Discrimination Statistics Released
Yesterday the EEOC released a statement indicating that reported job bias incidents rose 9% in 2007.
Commenting on the increase in claims, EEOC Chair Naomi Earp warned that “[c]orporate America needs to do a better job of proactively preventing discrimination and addressing complaints promptly and effectively.”
The highest percentage increases were seen in retaliation (up 18%), age (15%), and disability (14%).
Race remains the most frequent source of complaints, but retaliation has moved into second place for the first time ever. They are followed closely by sex, age, and disability, in that order. Far fewer complaints charge national origin or religious discrimination.
Based upon the cases that we see in our practice in New Jersey, the most prevalent claims of discrimination involve retaliation, age, and disability. Claims of race discrimination are relatively rare. That, admittedly, is anecdotal evidence and may not reflect what other employment lawyers are seeing in their practices. Does anyone else care to weigh in on this?
It remains to be seen whether the increase in filings presages a more aggressive enforcement approach by the EEOC.
The EEOC, Judges and the Commission on Human Rights need to address the issue of workers compensation employment terminations that arise due to filing for benefits.
David: Thanks for your comment. In NJ, retaliation against employees for filing Workers' Compensation claims is already against the law. The NJ statute says that "it shall be unlawful for any employer . . . to discharge or in any other manner discriminate against an employee as to his employment because such employee has claimed or attempted to claim workmen's compensation benefits . . .." NJSA 34:15-39.1