Latest EEOC Data Shows Increase in Sexual Harassment Lawsuits and Charges

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recently announced preliminary sexual harassment data for fiscal 2018:

• The EEOC filed 66 harassment lawsuits, including 41 that included allegations of sexual harassment. That reflects more than a 50% increase in suits challenging sexual harassment over fiscal 2017.
• Charges filed with the EEOC alleging sexual harassment increased by more than 12% from fiscal 2017.
• Overall, the EEOC recovered nearly $70 million for the victims of sexual harassment through litigation and administrative enforcement in fiscal 2018, up from $47.5 million in fiscal 2017.

Training Your Employees

Connecticut companies with 50 or more employees are required to provide training on sexual harassment prevention to all of their supervisory personnel. All new supervisory employees must be trained within six months of their assumption of a supervisory position.
In light of recent cases on sexual harassment, smaller employers should also consider training their supervisors in sexual harassment prevention.
In addition, it’s a good idea for employers to conduct awareness training for non-supervisory employees so that they understand what is acceptable conduct in the workplace and the procedures to follow if they believe they have been subjected to inappropriate behavior.
CBIA offers sexual harassment prevention training programs for supervisors and for employees. To learn more or to schedule an on-site training program at your company, Contact CBIA HR Counsel Mark Soycher (860.244.1138).