Employment discrimination charges are at a twelve-year low, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) reported last week. The EEOC released data for charges of workplace discrimination in fiscal year 2018. However, the number of sexual harassment charges increased, likely due to the #MeToo movement which has focused on publicizing and eradicating sexual harassment in the workplace.
The Numbers
The EEOC is the first stop for an employee to bring a charge against an employer raising employment discrimination, harassment or retaliation claims in violation of a variety of federal laws. In 2018, the EEOC took in 76,418 charges (8,000 less than 2017). Sexual harassment claims typically make up nearly one third of all sex discrimination charges with the EEOC. The recent data shows sexual harassment complaints have increased by 13.6 percent from last year, a likely effect of the #MeToo movement.
The Reasons
As the unemployment rate is low and worker demand is up, there are fewer job rejections and employee terminations for employees to contest. Additionally, with the recent public outcry against workplace discrimination, employers have taken steps to educate its employees in awareness and prevention of such activity. Employer education remains one of the most important aspects of reducing and preventing workplace discrimination. Contact us to provide workplace discrimination prevention for your employees!