The federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released an online chart that allows you to view the number and types of workplace discrimination charges by state.  

The EEOC’s previous database allowed viewing only of the nationwide totals. The new chart contains statewide figures for fiscal years 2009-2011. 

California had 7,166 total charges in fiscal year 2011 which represents 7.2 percent of the nationwide total. Only Texas (10 percent) and Florida (8.1 percent) ranked higher in terms of percentage of nationwide claims. These figures are not surprising given the large populations of these states. 

By an overwhelming majority, retaliation is the number one EEOC charge filed in California, constituting 44.6 percent of all EEOC charges filed in the state. Retaliation charges were followed by race (33.1 percent), disability (29.4 percent) and age (25 percent). 

The state statistics mimic a nationwide trend. For two years in a row, retaliation has been the number one type of EEOC charge filed throughout the United States. 

These types of claims should be of real concern for employers. Employees have the right to complain of unlawful discriminatory or harassing treatment in the workplace. Retaliation takes many forms and includes adverse employment actions, such as demotions or terminations, following complaints of unlawful conduct. Subtle forms of retaliation, such as ostracism, may not be unlawful but can create morale problems and decreased productivity. 

Author: Gail Cecchettini Whaley

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