GPO Has Dubious Title as Federal Agency with Highest Discrimination Complaint Rate

WASHINGTON, DC—September 2, 2014—According to a report by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the number of complaints filed by federal employees in 2012 decreased by 6.7 percent over the previous year, and there was a 4.9 percent decrease in the number of individuals who filed complaints over the same period.

But taking the lead—for its second year in a row—is the Government Printing Office (GPO). In the Medium Agencies (1,000 to 14,999 employees) category, the GPO ranked first on the list, with 1.22 percent of complaints filed by federal employees.

According to the report, of the 15,837 complaints filed in fiscal year 2012, the basis most frequently alleged was reprisal/retaliation (7,457) and the issue most frequently alleged was non-sexual harassment (5,991). Also in fiscal 2012, the number of complaints filed with allegations of race (Black/African American) once again exceeded those complaints filed with allegations of disability (physical).

After the GPO on the list, the Defense Commissary Agency was next on the list and then the EEOC.

According to AllGov, the settlements to the complaints affected the federal bottom line at $51.4 million in fiscal 2012, up 18 percent from the previous year. About 27 percent of complaints received settlements, and the average payout was about $12,000.

Among the best places to work in the federal government, reported AllGov, was the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), with no discrimination complaints; and the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts and Defense National Guard Bureau, with a complaint rate of 0.04 percent.