WASHINGTON (RNS) Incidents of alleged religion-based workplace discrimination hit record highs in fiscal year 2009, along with complaints of bias based on disability and national origin, according to the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission.
Charges of religion-related bias in private-sector jobs have increased steadily from fiscal year 1997, when they amounted to 2.1 percent of workplace discrimination complaints, to fiscal year 2009, when they were 3.6 percent.
The overall number of charges filed during the most recent fiscal year — 93,277– was the second-highest ever. Victims received monetary relief of more than $376 million during the time period studied, which ended Sept. 30, 2009.
Of the 3,386 religion-based charges received by the EEOC, 2,958 were resolved.
About 60 percent of resolved cases — both overall and specifically religious ones — were found to have “no reasonable cause” based on evidence obtained during an investigation. Those bringing charges could still challenge their employers through private court action.
Following a trend over the last decade, the most frequently filed charges in fiscal year 2009 related to alleged discrimination based on race (36 percent), retaliation (36 percent) and sex (30 percent). A single charge filing may allege multiple kinds of discrimination.
“The latest data tell us that, as the first decade of the 21st century comes to a close, the commission’s work is far from finished,” said EEOC Acting Chairman Stuart J. Ishimaru in a statement on Wednesday (Jan. 6).
