The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed 50% more employment discrimination lawsuits in the federal fiscal year ended Sept. 30 than in the previous year. The EEOC reported it filed a total of 143 new employment discrimination lawsuits in fiscal 2023.

Total lawsuits include 25 “systemic lawsuits,” almost double the number filed in each of the past three fiscal years. “Systemic” refers to cases where there is a pattern or practice where discrimination has a broad impact. They can also include cases that involve policy or classes of people.

In addition, 32 nonsystemic class suits were filed as well as 86 lawsuits seeking relief for individuals.

“The EEOC’s litigation program is an important tool to ensure compliance with the nation’s anti-discrimination laws and promote equal employment opportunity when the commission is unable to obtain voluntary compliance,” EEOC Chair Charlotte Burrows said in a press release.

The lawsuits represent a broad array of issues from barriers in recruitment and hiring to protecting vulnerable workers.