Employees deserve to work in workplaces that are free from discrimination and harassment. When these acts occur, employees should feel comfortable speaking out and bringing the conduct to the attention of supervisors.
Unfortunately, this does not always happen. Across the United States, thousands of employees experience these acts of discrimination at work every year. According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, a total of 84,254 workplace discrimination cases were filed in 2017.
Let’s take a closer look at the specific types of discrimination that occurs in United States workplaces.
What was the most common charge?
The most common charges filed with the EEOC were that of workplace retaliation. A total of 41,097 cases were filed, accounting for 48.8 percent of all cases filed in 2017.
This type of behavior can include various acts by employers against employees:
- Demoting an employee who reported sexual harassment in the workplace
- Firing an employee for reporting the illegal or discriminatory acts of the employer
- Harassing an employee for speaking out against discriminatory acts in the workplace
What other issues were reported?
Behind retaliation, the most common workplace discrimination cases filed were:
- Race discrimination (33.9 percent)
- Disability discrimination (31.9 percent)
- Sex discrimination (30.4 percent)
- Age discrimination (21.8 percent)
- National origin discrimination (9.8 percent)
- Religious discrimination (4.1 percent)
- Color-based discrimination (3.8 percent)
- Equal Pay Act cases (1.2 percent)
- Genetic-based discrimination (.2 percent)
Workplace discrimination is illegal. Victims are protected by both state and federal employment laws. When an employer fails to address discrimination, the victim may consider taking legal action.
Free consultation: If you have experienced discrimination or retaliation in your workplace, you deserve to learn about your legal options. Call 213-550-5503 to schedule a no-cost consultation.
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