Respect in theWorkplace
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Presented by:
Michael J. Neary
Employment & Labor Attorney | Lerch, Early & Brewer
May 2025
Responding to Changing Trends
in EEO Charges
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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
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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
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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?
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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