Right now, the EEOC’s getting the highest number of complaints it’s received in several years. Here’s one possible reason for the increase.

In 2007, the number of claims rose by 9% since the previous year. In February of ‘08, claims were up by 31% over the same point last year.

One thing EEOC officials say might be behind the increase is the agency’s brand new online questionnaire system. That replaces the initial phone call which used to be the first step in filing a charge.

In other words, they’ve made it easier to bring complaints against employers.

What it means for HR

That doesn’t necessarily mean more employees will win lawsuits, but companies need to be aware of the increase in charges.

The best defense: supervisor training. Managers need to understand that employees are more aware of the law and have more access to legal resources than ever before. That means they need to take training seriously in order to stay ahead of the game.

Tags: charges, claims, EEOC, online, questionnaire, suits