The EEOC has begun compiling charges alleging discrimination in hiring on the basis of arrest and conviction records. The number of receipts, or charges, can differ from the number of resolutions because a charge is not always resolved in the same year that it is filed.
Merit resolutions, as designated in the second column, are charges with outcomes favorable to charging parties and/or charges with meritorious allegations. These include negotiated settlements, withdrawals with benefits (the charging party has withdrawn upon receipt of desired benefits), successful conciliations and unsuccessful conciliations (charge closed with reasonable cause determination, field office to review for possible litigation).
Advisen data show the second most-frequent charge of hiring practices violations involves non-compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act, after charges of gender discrimination.
The data also show that, historically, the services industry has seen the most charges of hiring practices violations, followed by wholesale and retail trade, and public administration.
The EEOC has seen charges of hiring discrimination on the basis of race decline since it began keeping computerized records in 1997, only to climb as the financial crisis gathered force. The charges have started to decline again in its aftermath.
