JDSupra (05/04/2012) Brian Moore; Katherine Brings

The number of merit-based lawsuits filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission rose by 11 to 261 during fiscal 2011, and the number of claims totaled 162 under Title VII, 80 under the Americans With Disabilities Act, 26 under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and two under the Equal Pay Act. The EEOC also reports a 5% increase in resolutions through its private sector mediation program to 9,831 in fiscal 2011, with over $170 million collected, and the amount recovered that year through 277 merit suits totaled $90.9 million.

Meanwhile, the EEOC is working on regulations associated with the Genetic Non-Discrimination Act of 2008 and the Americans With Disabilities Act Amendments Act, plans to institute investigative and litigation strategies that detail practices it considers discriminatory, and will continue to concentrate on class action “pattern or practice” lawsuits. Despite budget cuts, the EEOC’s strategic plan for 2012-16 indicates a continued focus on systemic investigations and lawsuits against employers.