EEOC report details sharp increase in pregnancy discrimination claims

Pregnancy discrimination complaints filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) rose sharply from fiscal 1992 to 2007, according to a new report released on the 30th anniversary of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. The increase in complaints outpaced the increase in women in the workforce during that time period.

The report’s alarming data include the following:

• During the past fiscal year, pregnancy discrimination claims rose to a record high of 5,587.
• From fiscal 1992-2005, there was an increase of almost 65 percent in charges filed.
• From fiscal 1996-2005, 38 states recorded an increase in pregnancy discrimination claims filed with the EEOC; the complaints did not come from any particular geographic region.

Even more disturbing is the increase in the number of pregnancy discrimination claims coming from women of color, causing EEOC officials to conclude that race and ethnicity seem to play some role in the increase. From fiscal 1995 to 2005, complaints filed by African-American women went up 45 percent; by Hispanic women, 135 percent; and by Asian/Pacific Islander women, 90 percent.

—“Report: Sharp Rise in Pregnancy Discrimination Claims,” by Kathy Gurchiek, Society for Human Resource Management Web site, Nov. 3, 2008.