Sex Discrimination Suits on the Rise
Inc. Magazine tells us that sex discrimination suits are on the rise - particularly at small companies (those with fewer than 200 employees) who are often ill-prepared and ill-equipped to handle such issues. According to the article:
"Sex-discrimination suits against small companies don't make headlines but they are just as common. In fact, nearly half of all sex-discrimination charges -- running the gamut from sexual harassment to gender-related firing -- filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission last year were aimed at firms with 200 or fewer employees."
And, according to Cari Dominguez, Chairperson of the EEOC:
"... claims could surge in the years ahead as more women gain confidence from high-profile cases in the news. Many female baby boomers are entering their 50s and are "looking to leave a legacy... taking on the role of whistleblower."
I'm not so sure I agree with her on that last point, but I would agree that many small employers haven't a clue on how to deal with these issues. The article makes the mistaken point, inferring that a quicky handbook with a discrimination policy will help save the day. Unfortunately, it's what the employer does after it issues the handbook (or, perhaps, does not do) that typically gets them in hot water.