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3 Workplace Disability Discrimination Statistics You Should Know

November 27, 2021 Legal Team

Being discriminated against in the workplace is never acceptable. In fact, there are strict federal laws that prevent workplace discrimination.

The following five federal laws protect people with disabilities from experiencing workplace discrimination, including during the application process:

  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  • Rehabilitation Act
  • Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
  • Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA)
  • Civil Service Reform Act (CSRA)

Unfortunately, workplace discrimination against people with disabilities still occurs in this country. The following are three important statistics about workplace discrimination against individuals with disabilities that you should know about:

#1 – Retaliation is the second-most common reason why workplace disability discrimination charges are filed.

Only surpassed by “other disability,” retaliation is the second-most common reason why people with disabilities file workplace discrimination lawsuits. This makes up over 28% of all ADA charges filed across the country.

#2 – Discharge is the most common issue cited on ADA charges.

This means that employee terminations are the most prevalent issue among disabled individuals in the workplace. These terminations account for nearly 60% of the most common issues cited on ADA charges.

After discharge, the following four issues are the most common, but there are many other issues that are also reported annually:

  • Reasonable accommodation (35%)
  • Terms/conditions (21%)
  • Harassment (17%)
  • Discipline (12%)

#3 – The number of ADA charges filed each year has remained relatively stable since 2008.

From 2008 to 2014, the number of ADA charges filed annually stayed about the same. In 2008, there were a total of 33,548 charges filed. By 2014, the total number of charges filed was 38,691.

While there has been a slight increase in the number of charges filed over time, the number has not grown significantly enough to cause serious concern.

We’re Here to Help

If you’ve suffered workplace discrimination, we want to help you learn what your options are going forward.

Contact our team of skilled attorneys today with the details of your case by calling (949) 379-6250 or by filling out the online contact form.