Discrimination Charges Highest in Five Years: EEOC

The EEOC is reporting that job bias charges increased 9% in 2007, the highest volume of complaints in five years, and the largest increase since the 1990's.

“Corporate America needs to do a better job of proactively preventing discrimination and addressing complaints promptly and effectively,” said EEOC chairwoman Naomi Earp in releasing the annual tally.

No kidding.

Part of the problem is that more and more workers are becoming knowledgeable about discrimination in the workplace. What is concerning is that 'merit factor' rate is 23% - meaning almost 1 in 4 complaints had enough merit for the EEOC to pursue action.

Preventing discrimination is a key. The first question a business owner should ask of himself/herself is the following:

If an employee came to you today stating they had been harassed or discriminated against, what is the first thing you'd do?