Associated Press (01/24/12)

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reports federal job discrimination complaints increased to an all-time high in 2011. The agency received nearly 100,000 charges of discrimination during the 2011 fiscal year, the most in its 46-year history. Labor experts say the increase reflects the growing diversity of the nation’s work force.

Claims of disability bias increased 2% and charges of discrimination based on age rose 1%. Claims based on race, sex, and retaliation were the charges filed most often, according to commission data. Charges of racial bias declined by 1%, while sexual discrimination claims dropped 2%, and sexual harassment claims declined 3%.