Earlier this month, the U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced preliminary FY 2018 sexual harassment data highlighting its significant work this past fiscal year to address sexual harassment. Based on this preliminary data, in FY 2018:
- The EEOC filed 66 harassment lawsuits, including 41 that included allegations of sexual harassment. That reflects more than a 50% increase in suits involving sexual harassment over FY 2017.
- The EEOC handled 12% more charges alleging sexual harassment than it did in FY 2017.
- The EEOC recovered nearly $70 million for the victims of sexual harassment through litigation and administrative enforcement up from $47.5 million in FY 2017.
From this report, it is clear that combating all forms of workplace harassment remains a top priority of the EEOC. The Acting Chair of the EEOC, Victoria A. Lipnic, stated "I am so proud of the EEOC staff who stepped up to the heightened demand of the #MeToo movement to make clear that workplace harassment is not only unlawful, it is simply not acceptable."
To provide more information on the EEOCs enforcement strategy regarding sexual harassment and other forms of illegal discrimination, the current Acting EEOC District Director for our region, Thomas Colclough, will be on hand at the November 15 showing of K&C's 35th Annual Employment Law Update at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Mr. Colclough will help present relevant topics during the day and he will provide attendees with an "insider's view" at the end of the day-long program on what to expect from the EEOC in the coming year. Other speakers to present at the 35th Annual Employment Law Update include nationally recognized diversity trainer, Mauricio Velasquez, and a "top gun" lawyer who sues employers, James Shoemaker. Additionally, the K&C employment team lawyers and representatives from a number of relevant government agencies will be available throughout the day at the ever-popular K&C "Answer Booth."
The contents of this publication are intended for general information only and should not be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion on specific facts and circumstances. Copyright 2026.
