Job Discrimination Complaints Jump 9%

(AP)  Federal job discrimination complaints filed by workers against private employers shot up 9 percent last year, the biggest annual increase since the early 1990s.

The data being released Wednesday by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission show allegations of discrimination based on race, retaliation and sex were the most frequent, continuing a long-term trend.

Overall, the commission said complaints increased from 75,768 charges filed in 2006, to 82,792 last fiscal year. That's the highest complaint level since 2002, and the biggest annual percentage increase since 1993.

"Corporate America needs to do a better job of proactively preventing discrimination and addressing complaints promptly and effectively," said the commission chairwoman, Naomi Earp.

Complaints had been trending downward until 2006, when they increased slightly and then spiked last year. "It's possible that there's a trend developing here and employers need to be aware of this," said commission spokesman David B. Grinberg.

Allegations of discrimination based on race were the leading category of complaints - 30,510 in all, or 37 percent of all filings last year, said the commission, which enforces federal anti-discrimination laws among private employers.

Charges based on retaliation accounted for 26,663 of the complaints, about 32 percent of all filings with the commission. For the first time retaliation was the second most frequent complaint, surpassing sex-based charges. Retaliation charges were up 18 percent from the previous year.

Sex discrimination complaints totaled 24,826 of the filings, 30 percent of the overall cases.

Several other categories tracked by the commission also saw double-digit percentage increases from the previous year, including complaints about age and disability discrimination. Complaints about discrimination based on pregnancy saw a big increase, up 14 percent to 5,587 charges last year - a record high.

The only major category to see a decrease was complaints involving equal pay, which slipped from 861 in 2006 to 818 last year, accounting for one percent of all cases filed.

During 2007, 72,442 private sector discrimination complaints were resolved; the commission recovered approximately $345 million in compensation for those who had filed discrimination charges.

[mom_o_truth]

If you are a productive HUMAN BEING and you feel you are not being treated fairly, quit your job and go elsewhere or start your own company.
Posted by Kennedy7955................

You mean a 21st century slave ?

[kennedy7955]

Discrimination is dead. The only color business cares about is green. Whether you black, white, brown - male, female, straight or gay, here legally or not, all that corporate America cares about is what you can do to bring in cash.

If you are a productive human being and you feel you are not being treated fairly, quit your job and go elsewhere or start your own company.

If you aren''t productive maybe under-educated, perhaps lack talent, would much prefer a hand-out, then apply for welfare, food stamps, section 8 housing -go sue someone, slip and fall in a grocery store, rob a store, cheat someone, make some false accusation or complain you are a victim of discrimination.

Your life is what you make of it with rare exception.

[wyteagle]

we need to stop the influx of hispanics into this country. they are a huge drain on our social problems. "why work when you can make almost as much being on welfare".

[omega39-2009]

What I want to know is that since the so called "Economy, as reported by the liberal media" is not doing so well, how many of the 82K complaints are filed by blacks?

I would not hesitate to say that at least 90 percent, or greater, are the ones that filed these complaints......

Posted by poopusbuttus

The companies here are laying off Americans and keeping their H1Bs because they work cheaper.

[my2centss]

"That''s the highest complaint level since 2002, and the biggest annual percentage increase since 1993. "

Wow. The biggest since Bill Clinton was in office. So during Bill''s term it was worse. Go ahead, you can blame Bush if you want.

[watcher269-2009]

Imagine that - In a White Republican America - Racism!

I can''t imagine why with the Extreme Religious Rights KKK membership or all the ex-Nazi''s in "Their" Churches.

Wow!

[grammawhamma]

Nancy_Naive: Okay maybe I''m having a blond moment (even though I''m brunett)...what is with the 86 43?

[turn_2_jesus]

Federal job discrimination complaints filed by workers against private employers shot up 9 percent last year, the biggest annual increase since the early 1990s.

I think it rose more than that!

[valentin73]

As if the EEOC will END discrimination!!!!! lol

The EEOC is spending tax dollars to tell me "corporate America needs to do a better job"

Discrimination is everywhere, not just at the Federal Work Place.............

[old-chick]

I notice age discrimination was not mentioned -- and believe me, it exists. The older members of the workforce that have been faced with downsizing and having to seek new employment know it all too well. Oh, they claim they don''t do it, but you can see it in their eyes if you''re lucky enough to get an interview.