What Types of Discrimination Charges Are Most Often Filed?

According to 2008 enforcement statistics released by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, discrimination charges filed with the agency increased an unprecedented 15 percent during Fiscal Year 2008. Race continues to be the most frequently alleged basis of discrimination, followed closely by retaliation and age. The EEOC reports the following breakdown of its caseload:

  • Race: 35.6%

  • Sex: 29.7%

  • Retaliation: 34.3%

  • Age: 25.8%

  • Disability: 20.4%

  • National origin: 11.1%

  • Religion: 3.4%

  • Equal pay: 1.0%

Because individuals often file charges claiming multiple types of discrimination, the number of total charges for any given fiscal year will be less than the total of the eight types of discrimination listed.

A comprehensive breakdown of the EEOC's enforcement statistics can be found on the EEOC's web site at http://eeoc.gov/stats/enforcement.html.

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