The FY 2008 data show that 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 charges filed may be due to multiple factors, including economic conditions, increased diversity and demographic shifts in the labor force, employees' greater awareness of the law, the EEOC's focus on systemic litigation, and changes to the EEOC's intake practices, the federal agency advised.
In FY 2008, the EEOC filed 290 lawsuits, resolved 339 lawsuits, and resolved 81,081 private sector charges, according to the data. 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.
"The EEOC has not seen an increase of this magnitude in charges filed for many years," said the Commission's Acting Chairman, Stuart J. Ishimaru. "While we do not know if it signifies a trend, it is clear that employment discrimination remains a persistent problem. The EEOC is committed to vigorously enforcing federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination and will continue to invest in programs such as its systemic litigation program to maximize its effectiveness."
The FY 2008 enforcement and litigation statistics, which include trend data, are available on the EEOC's Web site.
