Written by Don Byrd
The Washington Post reports that religious discrimination claims increased by 9.5% in 2011compared to 2010, marking the highest all-time number. Officials are blaming the rise on an increase in religious diversity in the workforce.
“We’re seeing a greater diversity among minority groups in America,” said Ron Cooper, a former general counsel of the EEOC who now works in private practice. “We’re seeing more workers from India, Pakistan and other countries that bring additional religious complexity to the work force.”
The commission does not specify which religious or ethnic groups filed the most charges.
Could that really explain a nearly 10% increase in complaints? Does that gibe with workforce diversity changes in the last year? You can view the EEOC’s table of religion-based complaints, going back to 1997, here.
