Since September 11, 2001 and hostilities in the Middle East reports of 'retaliatory' discrimination against individuals who are - or are perceived to be - Muslim, Arab, Afghani, Middle Eastern or South Asian have increased markedly. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission processes these cases with the designation of "Z." Z cases have nearly doubled, but the EEOC and state level agencies have been increasing efforts to combat this unlawful harassment.

Harassment can range from co-workers falsely reporting 'terrorist' activities, to the failure of accommodating daily prayers or Ramadan, to racial slurs and even physical harassment. In many of these cases the discrimination is unlawful. However, coming forward to make a claim is very hard, oftentimes employees lack knowledge of the processes and the basis of litigation or arbitration to resolve the problems they face. This resource is designed to provide a general background to aprise everyone of their options, rights and responsibitiies.

How to use this site: Just click and navigate and keep in mind many of terms in bold have extra explanations when touched by the mouse. These terms can all be looked up in the glossary section of this website.

However, this website is not meant to be a substitute for legal advice but merely a reference and resource for those who feel that they may have a claim and to provide a better understanding of the mechanics of litigation, the sources of law and the agencies people can turn to when or if they feel harassed.

• Between September 11, 2001, and September 10, 2002, 654 charges were filed under Title VII with Process Type Z.
  
• Of the 654 charges filed, discharge was an issue in 406 charges, and harassment was an issue in 271 charges.
• As of October 1, 2002, 60 individuals aggrieved by employment discrimination alleged in Process Type Z charges have received almost $680,000 in monetary benefits through the efforts of the EEOC during the administrative process.
  
• From September 11, 2001, to September 10, 2002, the EEOC received 706 charges of discrimination based on being Muslim. In the same period last year, September 11, 2000, to September 10, 2001, the EEOC received 323 charges alleging discrimination based on being Muslim.