Enforcement Actions at the EEOC

It is easy to overlook employment discrimination issues. It is particularly tempting to ignore such issues when cutting back or reassigning staff to improve the bottom line. Such actions, however, can be construed as discrimination. Consider, for example, the consequences of laying off an experienced employee and keeping a newer, less experienced and younger employee.

EEOC recently released its enforcement data for Fiscal 2001. Age discrimination complaints are increasing and now appear in 21.5% of all discrimination filings with the EEOC. Race discrimination complaints comprise the largest portion of complaints, at 35.8% with gender discrimination close behind at 31.1%.

The EEOC expects the trend in age discrimination to continue to rise as the "Baby Boomer" generation ages. Given this trend, it is a topic that merits discussion at the Board table.

Copyright © 2002 Compliance Action. Originally appeared in Compliance Action, Vol. 7, No. 4, 5/02