What Were The Top Ten EEOC Charges Last Year?

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) recently released its enforcement and litigation data for Fiscal Year 2019, which ran from October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019.  A total of 72,675 charges of workplace discrimination were filed with the EEOC during that period.  The report also listed the top ten (10) categories of charges filed with the EEOC during Fiscal Year 2019, which are as follows:

1.  Retaliation – 53.8% of all charges filed

2. Disability – 33.4% of all charges filed

3. Race – 33.0% of all charges filed

4. Sex – 32.4% of all charges filed

5. Age – 21.4% of all charges filed

6. National Origin – 9.6% of all charges filed.

7. Color – 4.7% of all charges filed

8. Religion – 3.7% of all charges filed

9. Equal Pay Act – 1.5% of all charges filed

10.  Genetic Information – 0.3% of all charges filed

These percentages add up to more than 100% because employees often allege multiple types of illegal action in their charges.

These statistics make clear that employers must be vigilant in detecting and addressing any potential discrimination, harassment, or retaliation in the workplace.  Training employees and establishing effective workplace policies and procedures are excellent ways to stay ahead of these issues.  For help with drafting or reviewing policies, conducting training for employees and managers, or responding to a charge of discrimination, please do not hesitate to contact the attorneys at Hoffman & Hlavac.