News Notes: Employers Continue To Be Targeted

Discrimination lawsuits doubled between 1992 and 1996, according to a new report from the U.S. Courts’ Administrative Office. And the problem is likely to get worse. In May, we reported that employers paid record amounts to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) over the last few years. Now top EEOC lawyers have promised to step up litigation efforts and increase the number of class action lawsuits for disability discrimination, glass ceiling bias, racial harassment, promotion and wage disparity cases. The EEOC also announced that it will ignore promises made by employees in settlement agreements not to file charges with the agency, because it considers them illegal. The issue will likely be resolved by the courts.