RJ and Makay

>> Read More RJ & Makay Blog Posts

Due to an increase in religious and national origin bias cases, federal job discrimination complaints increased to an all-time high in 2011, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).  With almost 100,000 discrimination charges last year, the EEOC had the most complaints in its entire 46-year existence, and was a small increase over the prior year.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) received more workplace discrimination complaints last year than ever before. The 99,922 complaints filed with the EEOC in fiscal 2010, which ended September 30, was a 7% increase from the previous year and the highest number in the commission’s history.

However, the EEOC also obtained more money for discrimination victims than ever — about $404 million — through its enforcement, mediation, and litigation programs. These programs target private sector employers, state governments, and local governments that discriminate.

The recently passed financial reform law, also known as the “Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act,’’ or HR 4173, has been questioned by many observers as to whether the financial reforms it proposes will be effective in the industry. While most of the concern has been focused on what might happen to derivatives, many on the Street haven’t had a chance yet to address Section 342 of the 2300 pages document.

Section 342 mandates the creation of an Office of Minority and Women Inclusion (OMWI) to monitor race and gender employment proportions at private financial institutions must meet yet-to-be created standards set by yet-to-be named OMWI directors.