EEOC Reports Job Bias Charges For Fiscal Year 2009

In a January 6, 2010 Press Release at http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/newsroom/release/1-6-10.cfm , the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that 93,277 workplace discrimination charges were filed with the federal agency nationwide during Fiscal Year 2009, the second highest level ever.  According to the EEOC Press Release, the Fiscal Year 2009 data show that private sector job bias charges (which include those filed against state and local governments) alleging discrimination based on disability, religion and/or national origin hit record highs.  The number of charges alleging age related discrimination reached the second highest level ever.  Continuing a decade-long trend, the most frequently filed charges with the EEOC in Fiscal Year 2009 were charges alleging discrimination based on race (36%), retaliation (36%), and sex-based discrimination (30%).  The Fiscal Year 2009 statistics can be found at http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/statistics/enforcement/index.cfm .  As stated in the Press Release, the federal agency also filed 281 new “merits” lawsuits and resolved 321 merits lawsuits in Fiscal Year 2009.  In this regard, merits suits include direct suits and interventions alleging violations of the substantive provisions of the statutes enforced by the EEOC and suits to enforce administrative settlements. 

Further information about the EEOC may be found at www.eeoc.gov .