EEOC Filings Rising Fast
According to the EEOC, discrimination charges filed in the first quarter of its 2008 fiscal year were up a whopping 21% compared to the same period last year. That’s on top of a 9% jump in charge volume last year — the biggest increase since 2002. (Click here for a full analysis of 2007 charge volume.)
The trend could be gathering steam. The EEOC also reports that more than 40,000 charges were filed in February alone — a 31% increase over 2007.
So, what accounts for the dramatic rise? As we discussed a few weeks ago here, economic conditions generally result in increased claims. The EEOC also points to the fact that its intake questionnaire is now available online and that a new call center opened in March that enables the agency to better track statistics.
The bottom line, according to EEOC Chair Naomi Earp: “Corporate America needs to do a better job of proactively preventing discrimination and addressing complaints promptly and effectively.”
(Sources: EEOC, HR Magazine)
