THE EEOC’S RECENT SEXUAL HARASSMENT ENFORCEMENT STATISTICS
The EEOC recently released the following preliminary FY 2018 data:
- The EEOC filed 66 harassment lawsuits, including 41 that included allegations of sexual harassment. That reflects more than a 50 percent increase in suits challenging sexual harassment over fiscal year 2017.
- In addition, charges filed with the EEOC alleging sexual harassment increased by more than 12 percent from fiscal year 2017.
- Overall, the EEOC recovered nearly $70 million for the victims of sexual harassment through litigation and administrative enforcement in FY 2018, up from $47.5 million in FY 2017.
Employers should note that there is little doubt that the trend of allegations, enforcement, and litigation will continue. They should at a minimum: establish, distribute to all employees, and enforce a policy prohibiting harassment and setting out a procedure for making complaints. Such a policy is normally set forth in the employee handbook.