EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION (EEOC) PERFORMANCE: HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2018 FISCAL YEAR REPORT.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in releasing its 2018 Fiscal Year Report noted several impressive accomplishments included tackling of a number of operational challenges, resolving a number of lawsuits, and securing over $500 million in damages for victims of discrimination. The majority of damages recovered, $354 million, were recovered via mediation, conciliation, and settlements. $53.5 million came through litigation, and $98.6 million for federal employees and applicants in hearings and appeals. The agency handled over a half a million calls and emails and handled over 200,000 inquiries concerning allegations of discrimination. The agency resolved 141 lawsuits and filed an additional 199 lawsuits on behalf of individuals alleging discrimination in employment. The agency focused on promoting awareness on two issues in particular, the pervasiveness of sexual harassment and age discrimination in employment. In the year ahead, the agency has pledged to increase its role as an enforcer, educator, and leader in combatting all forms of workplace harassment. While the agency reported some impressive accomplishments, one area that did not receive attention was the number of complaints dismissed by the agency. This has been, over the years, a statistic the agency has chosen not to clearly address. The purpose of the paper is to review the EEOC accomplishments for fiscal year 2018 and examine what employers can expect in 2019. The paper will examine the basis of EEOC complaints and the number of complaints that are determined to have no reasonable cause. Over the years, on average, over two-thirds of all charges received by the EEOC are determined to have no reasonable cause. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]