A Fair Workplace? Not Everywhere

THE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION has given researchers at Rutgers University Law School data on job discrimination that could provoke the next big battle over affirmative action. The researchers are using EEOC numbers to measure racial and sexual harassment, geographic patterns of bias in hiring and promotion, and the extent of "hostile work environments." Judging from an early peek at their work, the findings could be explosive.

The academics say that while discrimination has fallen overall, some regions are still highly biased. Initial results suggest that in Washington State, for example, 25% of employers with more than 50 workers still intentionally discriminate against women. And in Georgia, almost 40% of larger employers racially discriminate, while 30% display a bias against women.