February 11, 2016: EEOC Releases FY2015 Data on Workplace Discrimination & Retaliation

On February 11, 2016, the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued data tables providing
statistics and information regarding EEOC Charges filed in fiscal year 2015 (October
1, 2014 through September 30, 2015). The tables reveal that about 600 more
charges were filed in FY2015 than in FY2014 (89,385 Charges were filed in
FY2015, up from 88,778 in FY2014). The tables also show that retaliation claims
under EEOC enforced statutes (such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of
1964, which prohibits discrimination in the workplace) made up 44.5% of all FY2015
Charges. This data confirms that for several years in a row, retaliation
against whistleblowers is the most frequently cited basis for EEOC Charges. The
tables further show that in FY2015 the EEOC recovered $356.6M in administrative
enforcement efforts and $63.5M in litigation recoveries. These figures are
substantially higher than FY2014 recoveries. This EEOC data confirms the bad
news that retaliation against employees who blow-the-whistle on unlawful
workplace discrimination is still fairly common. But the data also confirms the
good news that employers are being punished for this illegal conduct. The
Law Offices of Elizabeth “Booka” Smith, LLC routinely represents executive
employees who face workplace discrimination and retaliation before the EEOC and
in court. If you are facing retaliation or
discrimination in the workplace, CONTACT US to schedule an initial
consultation and to evaluate potential representation.