The EEOC puts out a chart that quantifies the “charge statistics” for each fiscal year. You can find it at: http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/statistics/enforcement/charges.cfm.   The statistics tell us how many complaints of discrimination they have received, and what categories of discrimination are cited. Here are some interesting nuggets.

*The total number of complaints held steady from 1997 to 2007, and then jumped up in 2008. During those first ten years, the numbers ranged from 75,428 in 2005 to 84,442 in 2002. In 2008, the numbers jumped into the 90,000s, and went over 99,000 for three years in a row from 2010 to 2012. In the latest year, 2014, they dropped back down to 88,778.

*In 2010, the number of “retaliation” claims exceeded claims of race discrimination for the first time. This was the first year that racial complaints were not the most frequently cited form of discrimination.   Retaliation complaints have remained “number one” in every subsequent year.

*In 1997, retaliation claims were cited in 22.6% of all complaints. In 2014, it was 42.8%.

*The percentage of complaints of sex discrimination has remained remarkably consistent—right around 30%.

*As the boomers age and develop physical problems, the number of age and disability complaints has gone up.

*For the most recent fiscal year, 2014, the numbers are as follows:

Retaliation:                      42.8%
Race:                                    35.0
Sex:                                       29.3
Disability:                         28.6
Age:                                      23.2
National origin:             10.8
Religion:                               4.0
Color:                                     3.1
Equal Pay Act:                  1.1
Genetic Information:   0.4

These numbers exceed 100% because many people cite multiple factors.

DAWG BONES: DON’T BE A STATISTIC! MAKE ALL OF YOUR PERSONNEL DECISIONS ON THE BASIS OF JOB RELATED, NON-DISCRIMINATORY, NON-RETALIATORY FACTORS.