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Retaliation tops the new EEOC discrimination stats

On Behalf of | Mar 17, 2021 | Retaliation

Individuals contemplating workplace discrimination claims in Hawaii should feel encouraged by the latest stats released by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The numbers prove that more and more people are fighting against discrimination.

What is the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission?

A provision of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the EEOC is a federal agency that enforces workplace equality laws. As charged, the commission handles employment discrimination claims rooted in race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, gender and genetic information.

Employment discrimination law: what is retaliation?

The commission also accepts retaliation cases. These occur when employers punish workers for reporting or opposing discriminatory acts or practices. Examples of retaliatory actions can include — but are not limited to — demotions, overtime abatement and unwanted transfers.

Most claims of this kind are brought by people who feel they’ve been penalized for standing against discrimination. However, folks who feel persecuted for participating in discriminatory acts have also been known to pursue retaliation claims.

After an EEOC investigation, businesses and organizations found at fault can be saddled with compensatory, punitive and liquidated damages. The employer’s size defines statutory limits.
2020 EEOC discrimination stats

The EEOC recently released the 2020 workplace discrimination statistics. Retaliation topped the list, representing over 55.8% of claims; cases involving genetic information took up the rear, with 0.7% of the cases.

  • Retaliation: 37,632
  • Disability: 24,324
  • Race: 22,064
  • Sex: 21,398
  • Age: 14,183
  • National Origin: 6,377
  • Color: 3,562
  • Religion: 2,404
  • Equal Pay Act: 980
  • Genetic Information: 440

If you feel you’ve been unfairly discriminated against at work, speaking with a discrimination law attorney is a wise choice. A lawyer can assess your exact situation and outline the available avenues. You may have a case, or you may not. Either way, you owe it to yourself to find out.