If you have not experienced it already, the EEOC is very active under the Obama administration. Proof of this heightened activity is evident in the most recent statistics released by the EEOC for the fiscal year ending September 20, 2011.
Here is a summary of some of the highlights from the EEOC FY 2010 statistics (the Commission’s fiscal year ends September 30, 2011)
- Total Charges of Discrimination filed reaches all time high of 99,922 (an increase of 6,645).
- Cause findings of discrimination were up over 1,000 from last year (and the highest number in 5 years).
- Disability charges of discrimination increased by almost 5,000 totaling a full 25% of all charges filed (expect that percentage to increase under the ADAA). Only race, retaliation and disability showed an increase in percentage of total charges over last year.
- EEOC’s backlog of charges is decreasing indicating that the Commission is processing charges faster.
- Conducted or are conducting 580 systemic investigation and filed 23 lawsuits alleging systemic allegations of discrimination.
Unless a projected budget cut decreases the EEOC’s ability to process charges and conduct investigations and litigation, it is expected that next year’s charge filing statistics will meet or exceed this year’s record numbers.
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