THIS Is a “Backlash”?
From a members-only September 5 article at the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) — The detail doesn’t support the headline:
Discriminatory backlash lingers after Sept. 11
Among the many ramifications of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States has been heightened prejudice and discrimination against Muslims and Arabs—and anyone perceived as a member of those groups.
….. The majority (75 percent) of 368 U.S. HR professionals who responded thought negative attitudes toward Muslim employees have stayed the same since Sept. 11, while 16 percent thought they’ve increased, and 9 percent thought they’ve decreased.
….. The EEOC defined a new “Code Z†to track charges filed specifically by people who are—or are perceived to be—Arab, Muslim, Middle-Eastern, South Asian or Sikh.
As of June 11, 2006, 991 charges had been filed under Title VII alleging post-Sept. 11 backlash employment discrimination, according to the EEOC. Discharge is an issue in 591, and harassment in 416. (Some charges allege multiple types of discrimination.) Twelve cases were still open.
Of the 979 charges resolved, 595 (61 percent) were closed with “no-cause findings.†Ninety-eight (10 percent) were issued a right-to-sue letter, while 135 (14 percent) were settled, withdrawn with benefits for the charging party or conciliated. The remainder were closed or not pursued for various procedural or jurisdictional reasons.
As of June 11, 2006, the EEOC said, 148 employees aggrieved by Sept. 11 backlash discrimination have received more than $4 million through the agency’s administrative efforts, and 19 individuals received another $1.15 million after filing eight separate federal lawsuits.
The subjective poll number has barely budged. Unfortunately, it’s not clear when the EEOC’s “Z” code came into existence (a definite oversight on the part of the reporter). Assuming that it’s four years, the 98 “right-to-sues” and the 135 “settlements, withdrawals with benefits, or conciliations” combined represent less than 60 per year.
Some “backlash.”
