EEOC Charges On The Rise

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC") recently released statistics for the Fiscal Year ending September 30, 2011.   The EEOC received a total of 99,947 charges of workplace discrimination in Fiscal 2011.

This number of charges represents the most ever received in the agency’s 46 year history.  In addition, the EEOC obtained for victims of workplace discrimination more than $364 million in monetary damages; a historic amount according to the EEOC’s website.

These statistics are a stark reminder to employers that they should thoroughly document employment decisions and apply their policies on a uniform and consistent basis.  The failure to adhere to these simple rules can prove costly.  Moreover, when faced with a charge of discrimination from the EEOC or state agency, employers should contact labor and employment counsel for assistance in responding to charges of discrimination to ensure that the best possible outcome is achieved.