Dan Brecher
Counsel
212-286-0747 dbrecher@sh-law.comFirm Insights
EEOC Enforcement Report Reveals Significant Drop in Charges
Author: Dan Brecher
Date: February 13, 2015
Key Contacts
Back
While New Jersey employers should probably keep the champagne on ice, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) latest enforcement report is good news. The agency reports that both employment claims and penalties dropped significantly in fiscal year 2014, which ran from Oct. 1, 2013, to Sept. 30, 2014.
In total, the EEOC filed 133 lawsuits on the merits, which represent a slight uptick over last year. However, the agency’s litigation docket remains low. By comparison, the EEOC filed an average of 370 lawsuits a year from 1997 to 2011. Monetary relief from litigation, including settlements, also decreased. Overall, the agency obtained $22.5 million, which represents the lowest payout in more than 15 years.
In recent years, the EEOC has placed greater emphasis on administrative proceedings. However, these recoveries also dropped. The EEOC obtained $296.1 million in total monetary relief through its enforcement program prior to the filing of litigation. In 2013, administrative settlements totaled $372.1 million, while it was $365.4 million in 2012.
In New Jersey, 1,613 charges were filed, which also represents a slight decrease from FY 2013. With regard to the types of charges filed, race, sex, and disability discrimination charges all declined, while retaliation claims continued to increase. Below is a breakdown of the EEOC charges filed in the state, which largely track national data in terms of rankings:
- Retaliation under all statutes: 609 (23.7 percent of all charges filed)
- Race (including racial harassment): 544 (21.2 percent)
- Disability: 416 (16.2 percent)
- Age: 385 (15.0 percent)
- Sex (including pregnancy and sexual harassment): 378 (14.7 percent)
- National origin: 237 (9.2 percent)
According to the EEOC, the government shutdown partially contributed to the dip in charges and penalties, but does not fully explain the downward trend. Of course, the agency reaffirmed its commitment to “strategic enforcement to eliminate barriers to equal employment opportunity.” Accordingly, New Jersey employers should continue to make compliance a top priority, particularly with respect to anti-retaliation policies and procedures.
- Business attorney New Jersey
- Business attorney NYC
- New Jersey Business Litigation Attorney
- New Jersey Employment Attorney
- New Jersey Employment Lawyer
- Practices: Labor & Employment
- Locations: Red Bank, NJ, Little Falls, NJ, New York City
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Related Posts
See all
SPACs Are Back, What You Need to Know
Special purpose acquisition companies (better known as SPACs) appear to be making a comeback. SPAC offerings for 2025 have already nearly surpassed last year’s totals, with additional transactions in the pipeline. SPACs last experienced a boom between 2020–2021, with approximately 600 U.S. companies raising a record $163 billion in 2021. Notable companies that went public […]
Author: Dan Brecher
Short Form Merger: Streamlining the Process for Businesses
Merging two companies is a complex legal and business transaction. A short form merger, in which an acquiring company merges with a subsidiary corporation, offers a more streamlined process that involves important corporate governance considerations. A short form merger, in which an acquiring company merges with a subsidiary corporation, offers a more streamlined process. However, […]
Author: Dan Brecher
Tariff Response Options for Small Businesses Facing Financial Distress
The Trump Administration’s new tariffs are having an oversized impact on small businesses, which already tend to operate on razor thin margins. Many businesses have been forced to raise prices, find new suppliers, lay off staff, and delay growth plans. For businesses facing even more dire financial circumstances, there are additional tariff response options, including […]
Author: Brian D. Spector
Common Causes of Partnership Disputes and How to Resolve Them
Business partnerships, much like marriages, function exceptionally well when partners are aligned but can become challenging when disagreements arise. Partnership disputes often stem from conflicts over business strategy, financial management, and unclear role definitions among partners. Understanding Business Partnership Conflicts Partnership conflicts place significant stress on businesses, making proactive measures essential. Partnerships should establish detailed […]
Author: Christopher D. Warren
Businesses Are Facing Financial Headwinds—A Practical Guide
*** The original article was featured on Bloomberg Tax, April 28, 2025 — As a tax attorney who spends much of my time helping people and companies who have large, unresolved issues with the IRS or one or more state tax departments, it often occurs to me that the best service that I can provide […]
Author: Scott H. Novak
President Trump's Termination of Member Gwynne Wilcox
On January 28, 2025, the Trump Administration terminated Gwynne Wilcox from her position as a Member of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB or the Board). Gwynne Wilcox, a union side lawyer for Levy Ratner, was confirmed to the Board for an original term in 2021 and confirmed again for a successive five-year term expiring […]
Author: Matthew F. Mimnaugh
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.