Respect in the Workplace
1
Presented by:
Michael J. Neary
Employment & Labor Attorney | Lerch, Early & Brewer
May 2025
Responding to Changing Trends
in EEO Charges
2
Why are we meeting today?
EEOC reported a 9% increase in discrimination charges in 2023-2024
• Race discrimination charges up 2,765 to 30,270
• Sex discrimination charges up 1,372 to 26,872
• Disability discrimination charges up 4,508 to 33,668
• Age discrimination charges up 2,000 to 16,223
• Color discrimination charges up 900 to 6,684
Since 2021, discrimination charges are up 44%
EEOC Discrimination Charges Trending Upward
3
Why are we meeting today?
• Religious discrimination charges down 700 to 3,640
• Retaliation charges down under Title VII by 2,500 to 29,207
• Retaliation under all discrimination statutes down by almost 4,000
charges to 42,301 (Retaliation charges are still number one overall)
EEOC Religious Discrimination and Retaliation Charges
Trending Down
4
Why are we meeting today?
• Increased media attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Increased electronic interactions
• Increase in firings and layoffs (60% of claims come from firings or layoffs)
• Return to office policies
• The return of in person workplace functions and business travel
What is Driving the Trend?
5
Why are we meeting today?
• Review your EEO policies
• Educate the workforce (employee and management)
• Create a culture of feedback
• Increase employee engagement
• Respond to misconduct
• Eliminate unforced errors (documentation and legal compliance)
• Review your recruitment process
Responding to the Trend

Responding to Changing Trends in EEO Charges

  • 1.
    Respect in theWorkplace 1 Presented by: Michael J. Neary Employment & Labor Attorney | Lerch, Early & Brewer May 2025 Responding to Changing Trends in EEO Charges
  • 2.
    2 Why are wemeeting today? EEOC reported a 9% increase in discrimination charges in 2023-2024 • Race discrimination charges up 2,765 to 30,270 • Sex discrimination charges up 1,372 to 26,872 • Disability discrimination charges up 4,508 to 33,668 • Age discrimination charges up 2,000 to 16,223 • Color discrimination charges up 900 to 6,684 Since 2021, discrimination charges are up 44% EEOC Discrimination Charges Trending Upward
  • 3.
    3 Why are wemeeting today? • Religious discrimination charges down 700 to 3,640 • Retaliation charges down under Title VII by 2,500 to 29,207 • Retaliation under all discrimination statutes down by almost 4,000 charges to 42,301 (Retaliation charges are still number one overall) EEOC Religious Discrimination and Retaliation Charges Trending Down
  • 4.
    4 Why are wemeeting today? • Increased media attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion • Increased electronic interactions • Increase in firings and layoffs (60% of claims come from firings or layoffs) • Return to office policies • The return of in person workplace functions and business travel What is Driving the Trend?
  • 5.
    5 Why are wemeeting today? • Review your EEO policies • Educate the workforce (employee and management) • Create a culture of feedback • Increase employee engagement • Respond to misconduct • Eliminate unforced errors (documentation and legal compliance) • Review your recruitment process Responding to the Trend