Employment Discrimination Statistics By Dan Atkerson on November 30, 2018

Everyone should be treated fairly while on the job regardless of their gender, race, religion, sexual preference, or identity. Sadly, there are tends of thousands of complaints of workplace discrimination each year, pointing to the work we still need to do as a society to live up to our ideals. That’s why it’s so important to speak with an employment discrimination attorney if you have witnessed bigotry at the workplace. The Dallas, TX team at the Law Offices of Dan A. Atkerson are here to listen.

Below, we would like to share some numbers of employment discrimination so you understand that you are not alone in your frustration and desire for justice.

Total Number of Discrimination Complaints

In 2017, the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) received 84,254 complaints of workplace discrimination. This was down from 91,503 complaints in 2016, and is the lower number of complaints since 2007. Yet the fact the number remains high should give us pause and recognize the bias and bigotry that can manifest at the workplace in many forms.

Early 21st Century Study on Race-Based Hiring Discrimination

In a study conducted from 2000 to 2002 by professors Marianne Bertrand and Sendhil Mullainathan, 5,000 resumes were sent to 1,300 newspaper employment ads. Resumes had either “black-sounding” names (e.g., Jamal Washington) or “white-sounding” names (Brendan Walsh).

The study found that on average, people with names that may be identified with African or African American culture were 50 percent less likely to receive a callback from a potential employer.

Continued Hurdles in Hiring for People of Color

A 2017 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences revealed similar findings regarding race-based employment discrimination. The researchers studied 24 field experiments, with data from 54,000 applicants over 25,000 job positions.

According to this meta-analysis, whites were 36 percent more likely rot receive callbacks than black job applicants, and 24 percent more likely to receive callbacks than Latino applicants.

Gender-Based Employment Discrimination

Gender-based discrimination has remained a major issue with regard to hiring practices, fairness at the workplace, and equal pay for equal work.

A survey published by the Pew Research Center earlier this year found that 34 percent of women with jobs in predominantly male workplaces have experienced setbacks in their job due to their gender. Among women at majority-male workplaces, 48 percent felt they were treated fairly when it comes to hiring and recruitment, and just 38 percent felt they were treated fairly when it comes to promotions and career advancement. This same survey also found that 28 percent of women who work in majority-male workplaces have been sexually harassed while on the job.

Holding Employers and Fellow Employees Accountable

If you have experienced discrimination or harassment at work or during the hiring process, it’s important that you report it to the proper channels. Be sure to file a complaint with the EEOC and the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Civil Rights Division. It’s also a good idea to consult a lawyer about possible legal action against the employer or offending party.

Contact the Law Offices of Dan A. Atkerson

For more information about your legal rights and options following a case of employer discrimination, be sure to contact an experienced workplace discrimination lawyer. The Law Offices of Dan A. Atkerson can help you. You can speak with us by phone at (214) 383-3606.