Race, Reprisal and Sex Most Often Alleged Bases of Bias in Federal Complaints

Through the third quarter of fiscal year (FY) 2008, race, reprisal and sex were the most frequently alleged bases of discrimination in complaints filed by federal agency employees, former employees and applicants for employment, according to data posted on the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) website on July 30, 2008. The third quarter ended June 30, 2008.

The EEOC’s summary statistical data show that 24 internal complaints of discrimination were filed with the agency by 24 individuals during the third quarter of FY 2008. Among these complaints, race was the most frequently alleged basis of discrimination (18), followed by reprisal (13) and sex (11). Notably, complaints may allege multiple bases of discrimination, so the sum of the alleged bases is generally greater than the number of complaints filed. Through the third quarter, there were no findings of discrimination on internal complaints.

Government-wide, 5,909 hearings were requested on complaints of discrimination filed by 5,682 employees, former employees or applicants for employment through the third quarter of FY 2008. Race (2,277), reprisal (2,408) and sex (2,040) were also the top three bases of discrimination alleged in government-wide complaints. Both without and after hearings, 35 percent of findings of discrimination were on the basis of race, 22 percent were on the basis of sex and 19 percent were on the basis of disability.

As to government-wide appeals, 3,686 complaints of discrimination were filed by 3,200 individuals through the third quarter of FY 2008. The data, although incomplete, show that among appeals, reprisal (540) was the most frequently alleged basis of discrimination, followed by sex (428) and race (421). On appeal, 45 percent of the total findings of discrimination were on the basis of reprisal, 42 percent were based on race and 37 percent were based on sex.

The full text of the EEOC’s summary statistical data, posted pursuant to sections 301 and 302 of the Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002, is available on the agency’s website at http://www.eeoc.gov/stats/nofear/index.html.

Reprinted with permission. © CCH

Government-wide, 5,909 hearings were requested on complaints of discrimination filed by 5,682 employees, former employees or applicants for employment through the third quarter of FY 2008.