The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission secured approximately $505 million and other relief for more than 67,860 victims of discrimination in the workplace in fiscal year 2018, the department announced. The EEOC’s legal staff resolved 141 merit lawsuits, filed 199 more in the fiscal year and filed 29 amicus curiae briefs on significant legal issues in employment discrimination cases.   

The $505 million went to victims of discrimination in private, state and local government, and federal workplaces, including $354 million through mediation, conciliation and settlements; $53.5 million through litigation; and $98.6 million for federal employees and applicants in hearings and appeals.

The EEOC reported more than 554,000 calls and emails and more than 200,000 inquiries concerning potential discrimination claims. It reported the launch of a nationwide online inquiry and appointment system as part of the EEOC’s Public Portal resulted in a 30% increase in inquiries and more than 40,000 intake interviews.