Free Enterprise

Can Pinterest Help Your Small Business?

2012-02-10T13:04:38Z

The latest and greatest social network is none other than Pinterest, an online bulletin board system. Founded in 2010, the site already has 7 million unique visitors -- and it's even found a way to start earning money.

The beauty of Pinterest is that it drives traffic to websites that may otherwise see few visitors. If done right, it can also link users to products you sell through your own website or affiliate programs on sites like Amazon.

Pinterest and small business seem like a match made in Internet marketing heaven.

For those who haven't heard of Pinterest, it falls somewhere between a social networking site and an online scrapbook. Users create multiple boards to which they "pin" -- or add -- items from around the web. This includes photographs, products and stories.

Take a woman who is obsessed with food, decor and her wedding. She would have a separate board for each category. When she comes across a wedding dress or recipe on the web, she'll pin it to the appropriate board. It's then shared with all of her followers, who can then share it with their friends.

A small retailer can capitalize on this click-of-button advertising without too much effort.

The first step is to create a Pinterest account and start following users who show interest in products similar to those you sell. Also look for people in your geographic region. At that point, start pinning. Pin photos (with links) of unique items sold in your store and website. Add things relevant to your community and customers. Re-pin other posts.

Once on Pinterest, a small business can gain a massive following. But if yours doesn't, don't worry. The site is still fun -- and kind of addicting.

Related Resources:

Why small business cannot afford to overlook Pinterest (ZDNet)
Facebook for Small Businesses: 5 Savvy Tips (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)
Should You Follow Employees on Twitter? (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)

Think Twice Before Giving Workers a Polygraph

2012-02-09T13:05:30Z

Do you think your shifty-eyed cashier is lying to you about how much cash was left in the register last night? Or, do you have the sneaking suspicion that your supposedly Ivy League-educated accountant is actually a big fraud?

You might want to hold off on conducting employee polygraphs. The Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) largely prohibits employers from using lie detector tests.

And most likely, the EPPA does apply to you.

The EPPA protects former, current, and prospective employees. It also applies to most employers -- though not those in the public sector. Specifically, it applies to private employers that employ at least two employees with an annual volume of business of $500,000. The employer must also conduct interstate commerce activities.

There are certain exceptions where administering polygraphs is acceptable:

If the employer is conducting an investigation into an economic loss or injury (such as a theft).
If the employer provides security services.

Even if an employer falls under an exemption category they still need to comply with certain requirements. For example, records need to be kept. The examiner must also be licensed and bonded. Information gleaned from a polygraph test cannot be widely disclosed.

Why keep all of this in mind? Well, you don't want to end up violating the law. If you do, you may end up paying for a wronged employee's lost wages and benefits. You may also face fines of up to $10,000 per violation levied by the Secretary of Labor.

That's why business owners thinking about giving their employees a polygraph test should probably consult with an experienced attorney. Even if you think you fall under an exemption allowed by the Employee Polygraph Protection Act, it's always better to be positively certain.

Related Resources:

The Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) (U.S. Department of Labor)
Lie Detector Tests (FindLaw)
May an employer use a lie detector to find out if a job applicant or an employee is honest? (FindLaw)
Laying Off? Top 3 Ways Employers Get Sued (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)

How a Blogger Can Do $2.5M in Damage to a Company

2012-02-08T12:59:50Z

Sometimes you may want to sue a blogger for what they write about your company or your products. Obsidian Finance did just that, and prevailed. They sued blogger Crystal Cox. During the trial, Obsidian alleged she defamed the company with some of her Internet posts.

Obsidian won $2.5 million in damages last year. Cox had accused the company of criminal behavior.

But Cox wasn't done fighting yet. She sought a new trial in January. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) also filed an amicus brief in support of her case. They argued that the award against Cox should be overturned in the interest of free speech.

Obsidian filed an opposition to Cox's motion for a new trial, reports the Courthouse News Service.

In their motion they cite to several issues. The company pointed out that Cox was uncooperative with the court. Obsidian then addressed the EFF's claims. Specifically, the company said that Oregon's shield law doesn't apply to situations like Cox's.

Furthermore, Cox's blog post was defamatory. It would be outside the bounds of the shield law in the first place. And that the state's retraction law would not apply because her blog was on the Internet, according to Obsidian's filing.

The court's ruling on the motion may have broader implications outside this one case. After all, bloggers and reviewers have taken to the web to air out their thoughts. Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Google Reviews are all places where you might find some unkind words about your business. Should they get more legal protection? It's unclear.

That may be why there have been many different lawsuits filed against these writers. Crystal Cox's trial is not the only one in recent years. Dentists have sued their patients over reviews. Hotels have sued ex-guests. Will your company sue a blogger over their words?

Related Resources:

After Crystal Cox Verdict, It's Time to Define Who Is a Journalist (PBS)
Defamation Law: The Basics (FindLaw)
Blogger Not a Journalist, Must Pay $2.5M (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)
Should Your Company Go After Anonymous Bloggers? (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)

Bill Aims to Simplify 1099-Ks for Small Biz

2012-02-07T13:04:39Z

The IRS' new 1099-K form is seen by some as so burdensome for small businesses, two lawmakers are pushing for a new federal law to scale it back.

The 1099-K Overreach Protection Act would prohibit the IRS from fully implementing the 1099-K form, the website TheStreet.com reports. Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Ill., introduced the bill in the House on Feb. 1; Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., is set to propose a similar bill in the Senate.

1099-K forms are meant to give the IRS a better way to keep track of e-commerce transactions, and to make sure merchants' numbers are correct. But critics say it's confusing and unnecessary.

Form 1099-K is only required for merchants with at least $20,000 in annual revenue and at least 200 transactions in a calendar year, the website EcommerceBytes.com reports.

Banks, credit-card companies, and other third-party payment processors must submit 1099-Ks to these merchants, detailing their monthly transactions. Merchants are supposed to reconcile those numbers with what's reported on their taxes.

One concern: "No one quite knows what will happen if the numbers don't match," the head of a tax-accounting software firm told EcommerceBytes.

In fact, there could be legitimate reasons for a discrepancy, critics say, such as:

Fraud by a customer,
Returns in which a customer got cash back, and
Collecting deposits as part of a rental business.

Perhaps adding to the confusion: The IRS has deferred the requirement for reporting 1099-K amounts on business tax-return forms this year.

So even though your business return has a new line for entering amounts from 1099-Ks, the IRS says to enter "0" on that line for your 2011 taxes only. (1099-K amounts should instead be reported on the line for all gross receipts for 2011, according to the IRS.)

Form 1099-K is set for full implementation next year, but the 1099-K Overreach Protection Act may stop it in its tracks. Until then, it may be wise to consult a tax attorney to make sure your small business tax return is correct.

Related Resources:

Clarification to the Instructions for Schedule C, E, & F (Form 1040) on Reporting Form 1099-K Amounts (Internal Revenue Service)
Schock, Schilling introduce legislation in House (East Peoria Times-Courier)
Small Business Tax Information FAQ (FindLaw)
Browse Tax Lawyers by Location (FindLaw)

Obama's Startup America Helps U.S. Entrepreneurs

2012-02-02T13:04:15Z

President Obama marked the 1-year anniversary of the Startup America Partnership on Tuesday by announcing his legislative plans for the program.

The so-called Startup America Legislative Agenda is designed to increase innovation in regions and sectors where entrepreneurship is lagging behind. It includes a wide-range of bills that target taxes, immigration, federal programs and initial public offerings.

Startup America chairman Steve Case believes the following measures will reinvigorate America's entrepreneurs.

1. Crowdfunding. Startups and venture capitalists have successfully connected through online funding platforms. President Obama wants to increase access, creating a national network of funding.

2. Investment incentives. The Startup America Legislative Agenda includes a number of provisions that are designed to increase investment. This includes a capital gains tax cut for 5-year investments and a $1 billion funding increase to the Small Business Investment Company program.

3. Reinvestment. The agenda also makes some small business tax cuts permanent so firms can reinvest savings. A 10% income tax cut for those who add new jobs is also part of the offering.

4. IPO on-ramp. President Obama is also urging Congress to adopt the recommendations of the IPO Task Force. If passed, it would be easier and less costly for emerging companies to go public.

5. Immigration. The legislation also encourages foreign-born entrepreneurs to start businesses instead of going home after they earn degrees. It also removes some country-specific immigration caps.

To learn more about the Startup America Partnership and related legislation, visit one of the 17 regional offices, or attend one of the 14 events behind held in the program's honor. If you like what you hear, contact your representatives.

Related Resources:

Obama Unveils Plan to Boost U.S. Startups (PCMag)
Start-Up Toolkit (FindLaw)
Will Startup Visa Boost US Entrepreneurship? (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)

What is a 501(c)(3) Exempt Purpose?

2012-02-01T16:59:49Z

Are you looking to create a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization? If so, you'll need a 501(c)(3) exempt purpose.

Many entrepreneurs endeavor to create a non-profit organization. There's that part of us that craves to do some good in the world.

But there is a difference between becoming a non-profit and becoming tax-exempt. In order to become tax-exempt, you typically need to file an application with an IRS. Many non-profits will fall under the 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization umbrella. But to get there you will need a proper purpose. It's mandated under the IRS code.

There are specific "purposes" outlined in section 501(c)(3). Organizations that are:

charitable
religious
educational
scientific
literary
testing for public safety
fostering national or international amateur sports competition
preventing cruelty to children or animals

What you may not realize is that there are many "charitable purposes." A charitable purpose doesn't necessarily only encompass organizations that donate to the poor -- though that is one valid definition. It also includes non-profits that work to advance the education system or science. Maintaining public buildings, monuments, and helping neighborhood tensions also qualify. So would an organization that works to reduce discrimination or racism.

Certain child-care organizations may also have a tax-exempt educational purpose. The child-care must be provided so that the child's parents have the opportunity to become gainfully employed. The services also need to be available to the general public.

Explaining your 501(c)(3) tax-exempt purpose may not necessarily be enough. Hopeful 501(c)(3) organizations may need to consult with a tax attorney for more information relevant to your specific case. The law may be tricky, and you don't want the IRS to reject your organization's application.

Related Resources:

Exempt Purposes - Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) (IRS)
Non-Profit and Tax-Exempt Organizations (FindLaw)
Decoding 501(c)(3) "Exempt Purpose" (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)

FDA Sued for Monitoring Employees' Private Email

2012-02-01T13:02:58Z

The FDA is being sued by several current and former employees for monitoring their private emails. Receiving and sending private emails on a work computer are things many employees may do.

Yet many may not realize -- or understand -- what level of privacy their actions are afforded.

The employees allege the government agency illegally monitored their correspondence. They also claim the FDA's actions had a negative effect on whistleblower activity.

The former FDA workers say that the agency only started monitoring activities after some voiced their concern to Congress. The employees ranged from doctors and scientists. They contacted politicians to express their belief that some approved medical devices might be too dangerous for patients.

One of the devices in question is used in mammograms, reports Reuters. FDA staff warned the agency that it could be harmful. The device was approved for sale.

It's definitely a strange scenario. Most employers require employees to sign off on agreements acknowledging that work email and computers are not private.

The FDA was no different. In fact, each computer warns users that there is no reasonable expectation of privacy on their computers. And that the government can go ahead and intercept communications for any lawful purpose, according to the Washington Post.

So it seems that the employees should have been on notice. They were checking private email accounts, but they used work consoles. Yet they still filed suit.

Their argument is that the FDA did violate their right to privacy. They also allege that they were retaliated against for their whistleblower activities.

Now the FDA has been sued for monitoring private emails on work computers, you might want to double check your own computer policies. Make sure employees know what is and isn't private.

Related Resources:

Lawsuit says FDA monitored staffers' private email (AP)
Your Email Isn't Private (FindLaw)
How Private Are Personal Emails Sent Via Employer Computers? (FindLaw's Technologist)
District Court Rules In Favor of Work Email Privacy (FindLaw's Law & Daily Life)

Are You Legally Required to Translate?

2012-01-31T17:01:23Z

If you operate your business in a multi-lingual community, you've probably had difficulty communicating with customers and employees. In these situations, a multi-lingual staff can be quite useful.

But is it mandatory? Are businesses legally required to translate for employees and customers? Or is doing so merely a kind gesture?

As with most situations, it depends.

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 includes the following language:

"No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."

If your business receives federal government assistance -- a grant, loan or contract -- you are bound by these terms. And these terms have been interpreted to imply a legal obligation to provide translation services to employees and customers.

But when does that obligation exist? Are you legally required to translate in all situations or just some?

People who don't speak English are known as Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals. Your obligation to translate depends on the number of LEP persons with whom your business interacts; how often translation is needed; the type of product or service you provide; and your resources.

Chances are you'll have to provide LEP employees with translated documents and a translator during vital conversations. You may need to post signs in languages popular amongst your LEP customers and employees. But as a small business, it's unlikely you'll need to add a full-time translator to your payroll.

If you'd like more information on when your business is legally required to translate, contact the civil rights office associated with the federal agency responsible for your funds or contract. Many have posted their Language Access Plan online, but an employee may be able to provide a better explanation.

Related Resources:

How OT Pay Issues Cost a Company $99 Million

2012-01-31T13:01:50Z

Swiss drug company Novartis AG has settled its overtime lawsuit for $99 million. The Novartis settlement comes after 6 years of litigation.

The settlement will cover more than 7,700 of the company's former and current sales representatives.

The plaintiffs alleged the company denied them overtime pay. Novartis, meanwhile, said their sales representatives should be considered "exempt" employees.

These employees met with physicians in order to promote the company's drugs.

Classifying employees as "exempt" or "non-exempt" is vitally important for an employer. No business wants to end up on the other side of a wage-and-hour litigation like Novartis.

The rights employees are entitled to can vary depending on their classification.

Nonexempt employees must be paid minimum wage. They must also receive overtime pay for hours in addition to their 40-hour work week. Many workers are considered nonexempt. This is especially true for those who get paid by the hour.

Exempt employees are not entitled to overtime pay. Some professions are exempt under the law. This includes some outside sales staff and airline employees. Jobs that require advanced education or training are also often exempt. This includes physicians, lawyers, teachers, and nurses. Executives are also considered exempt.

Classification rules can be tricky. That may be why Novartis decided to settle. Losing in litigation would ultimately be much more costly.

A similar issue is already reaching the Supreme Court by way of another drug company, GlaxoSmithKline. In April the court is set to decide whether representatives are exempt or nonexempt, according to the AP.

Violations of wage and hour laws can end up hurting a business. The Novartis settlement will cost the company $99 million. You might want to consult with an employment attorney to avoid a potential overtime lawsuit.

Related Resources:

Novartis to Cough Up $99 Million to Settle Overtime Lawsuit (Reuters)
Exempt Employees vs. Nonexempt Employees (FindLaw)
Ca. Overtime Laws Apply to Nonresident Workers (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)
New IRS Tax Preparer Rules for 2012 (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)

How to Deduct Coffee, Donuts as Biz Expenses

2012-01-30T12:57:42Z

Coffee and donuts are somewhat common workplace perks. But for small business owners, those simple daily indulgences can also add up to a significant tax deduction.

American workers spend on average about $1,000 a year on coffee, a new survey finds, according to Reuters. But if you're picking up the tab to keep your workers content, your coffee costs could be much higher.

This may just be the caffeine talking, but three overarching questions come to mind when considering small business tax deductions for coffee and donuts:

1. Is it a business expense?

Small business owners are generally entitled to deduct the costs of refreshments and similar fringe benefits for their employees, one tax attorney advised in the San Francisco Chronicle.

"To qualify, the expenses must be small and furnished by the employer merely as a means of promoting the health, goodwill, contentment or efficiency" of workers, the tax lawyer wrote.

The key test: Are your coffee and donut expenses "ordinary and necessary" for carrying on your business? Lots of legal challenges hinge on this question, so it may be best to consult a local tax attorney before trying to come up with your own justification.

2. Is it fully deductible?

Many small business expenses are subject to a 50% deduction limitation, but the tax code provides exceptions that may cover coffee and donuts, one tax accountant explains for Inside Tucson Business. In general, small businesses can deduct 100% of the following costs:

Providing an office coffee bar. Employer-provided coffee, donuts, snacks, and soft drinks that are consumed at work are generally fully deductible.
Refreshments at employee functions. Coffee and donuts offered at work-related parties and meetings for the benefit of employees can be fully deductible.
Refreshments provided to the public. This can include coffee and donuts offered to customers in your lobby.

3. Are receipts sufficient to prove business expenses?

Receipts are required, but they may not suffice to establish a valid business purpose, the Tucson tax accountant warns. Again, check with a tax attorney to see what else you may need to deduct coffee and donuts from your small business taxes.

Related Resources:

Deducting Business Expenses (Internal Revenue Service)
The Small Business Tax Deduction: What You Should Know (FindLaw)
Browse Tax Lawyers by Location (FindLaw)
2011 1099 Forms, Plus New Form 1099-K, Due This Month (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)

Should Small Businesses Barter Online?

2012-01-27T13:03:10Z

There's a growing online community engaged in small business bartering. Entrepreneurs strapped for cash and lacking capital can trade goods and services, propping up their businesses without exchanging funds.

The community separates itself into barter exchanges, which are usually for-profit businesses. "Barter dollars" are earned when a trader provides a good or service. Those dollars can then be used to purchase a commodity from another trader.

This system could be great for some businesses, but is it right for you?

It depends on what you need and what you're offering.

If you're looking for services that can be provided remotely, online business bartering might be useful. A web designer, accountant, or marketing guru doesn't necessarily need to be in-state. A carpenter needs to live nearby.

If you're looking to get rid of (or acquire) seasonal goods, a bartering exchange might be just the place. New York businesses need heavy coats, not swimsuits come November. A small retailer in California might be willing to make a trade.

There are other considerations, too.

If you barter online, you're going to need to choose the right barter exchange. Each is different, so you'll have to research rules and fees. Reputation and management are important criteria, too.

And you can't forget those pesky taxes. Business bartering may translate into income or capital gains. You'll need to keep track of all trades as well as value each service and good. The additional recordkeeping can be quite the headache.

So if you choose to engage in online business bartering, talk to your tax attorney first.

Related Resources:

Is Barter Right For Your Small Business? (Forbes)
Small Business Tax Information FAQ (FindLaw)
Bartering for Small Biz: Deciding What to Barter (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)

Small Firms Dodge $198B in Federal Taxes

2012-01-26T17:02:29Z

There's a lot of talk about the tax gap -- how can someone who earns $42.6 million only pay a 14% tax rate? And what about those big businesses taking advantage of tax loopholes?

But the reality is small companies and the self-employed are the biggest tax dodgers in the nation -- and they're not even doing it legally.

The IRS tracks the taxes owed but not paid -- the official tax gap. In 2006, that gap was at $385 billion. The self-employed and small companies accounted for $198 billion of those unpaid funds.

A perusal of the IRS's newly released tax gap estimates breaks that number down in the following way:

$122 billion in under-reported individual business income (schedule C)

$19 billion in under-reported small business income

$57 billion in under-reported self-employment income

Self-reported income is the biggest contributor to the tax gap, according to the IRS. Income not subject to third-party reporting or withholding accounts to 56% of the net misreporting rate in 2006.

What does this mean for you?

Well, there's no official word on whether the IRS will be auditing small businesses or the self-employed more thoroughly than before. However, the data suggests that many of you would be found delinquent if that were to occur.

So when you sit down this tax season, be sure to consult the instructions to Schedule C. And if you're still confused, hire a professional. It's worth it -- you won't be contributing to the tax gap.

Related Resources:

Small Business Tax Cheats: A $122 Billion Problem (Fiscal Times)
The Small Business Tax Deduction: What You Should Know (FindLaw)
Small Business Tax Deductions: Top 2010 Tips (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)

Disney Ends 60-Year Ban on Beards

2012-01-26T13:02:01Z

Disney's beard-ban is no more. Starting February 3, employees at the company's Florida and California theme parks can now have facial hair. It's a historic move for the company which has long been known for strict dress code policies.

There will still be some restrictions. Facial hair cannot exceed a quarter of an inch.

Disney still forbids visible tattoos, body piercings (except for ear piercings on women), "extreme" hairstyles or colors, and soul patches.

Women used to be required to don pantyhose with skirts. They were also barred from wearing tank tops until 2010. Female employees can wear sleeveless tops now -- but the straps must be 3 inches wide.

Some employers may wonder if these types of dress code restrictions are legal.

It usually is. Most employers can institute a basic dress code. But some businesses may run into legal trouble if they use polices that turn out to be discriminatory.

For example, forcing a Muslim man to shave his beard despite his religious beliefs could be a violation of an employee's civil rights.

The same goes for companies that stop employees from wearing religious headscarves. Retailer Abercrombie & Fitch has run into this particular problem several times in the past few years.

Disney wanted to create a clean-cut image of their workers. That is why its policies were restrictive. Though, that might change soon. Disney wants to remain "current." In 2000 the company finally lifted the ban on mustaches.

Now, Disney's beard-ban is also a thing of the past. So who knows: maybe more revisions will shake up the company's strict dress policies.

Related Resources:

Disney ends decades-long beard ban (UPI)
Can employers impose dress and grooming codes? (FindLaw)
Muslim Man Fired for Not Shaving Beard (FindLaw's Law & Daily Life)
Houston Woman, 52, Fired Over Her Gray Hair? (FindLaw's Law & Daily Life)

OSHA Offers Free Consults to Small Businesses

2012-01-25T14:03:23Z

It's true that you have a legal duty to ensure workplace health and safety. And it's true you'll be cited and penalized by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) if you don't.

But for a small business, OSHA regulations can be both unwieldy and costly. Between inspections and improvements, business owners often don't know where to start.

Luckily, there are some programs to help -- including a free on-site consultation provided by the Administration itself.

In fiscal year 2010, the program visited approximately 30,000 businesses. Free consultants offered confidential, non-punitive advice to small business owners like you.

That's right -- you will not be cited or penalized if your consultant finds you in violation of OSHA standards. Consultants are there to help get you up to par. They'll identify hazards, provide advice and help establish management systems. They'll even train your employees.

You'll save the expense of a private safety consultant.

But remember, you may still have work to do. Once you receive a detailed report of all findings, you'll be expected to make the necessary changes by an agreed upon date.

After all, the goal of the program is to help small businesses become OSHA compliant.

Once you've made any necessary changes, you may also want to enter OSHA's Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP). It's for elite employers only -- those with exemplary safety systems.

As if recognition isn't enough, membership in SHARP can result in lower insurance premiums, reduce turnover and increase the number of days workers are sick.

Are there any potential safety problems at your small business? OSHA wants to help, so let it.

Related Resources:

Workplace Safety: OSHA and OSH Act Overview (FindLaw)
OSHA and Workplace Safety (FindLaw)
OSHA Primer for New Businesses (FindLaw)

Job Discrimination Complaints Hit All-Time High

2012-01-25T13:03:02Z

A sluggish economy and an increasingly diverse workforce led to a record number of EEOC job-discrimination complaints last year.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission received 99,947 workplace-discrimination complaints in fiscal year 2011, the agency reported Tuesday. That's up slightly over 2010.

The uptick in overall discrimination claims may correspond with a weak job market, an EEOC spokesman told MSNBC. And the trend may continue, the agency suggests in a new draft planning document that's up for public review.

"During more difficult economic times, the EEOC may see an increase in overall charges as more people are laid-off," the EEOC's draft Strategic Plan for 2012-16 states.

Some employers "may begin enacting policies to save time or money that have an unlawful disparate impact on certain protected groups," the draft Plan suggests.

The EEOC's own statistics may show the effects of those policies. Religious and national-origin discrimination claims rose about 5% and 10%, respectively, between 2010 and 2011, the EEOC reported.

"We're seeing more workers from India, Pakistan and other countries that bring additional religious complexity to the workforce," a former EEOC attorney now in private practice told the Associated Press.

Claims for age discrimination, disability discrimination, and workplace retaliation also rose slightly in 2011. But the EEOC saw slightly fewer claims for race and sex discrimination.

While the agency overall received more discrimination claims than ever in 2011, the EEOC also resolved 112,499 discrimination complaints in 2011 -- the highest number of resolutions in at least 14 years, the agency reported.

Victims received a settlement in about 18% of those EEOC discrimination claims, while two-thirds were found to be groundless, according to MSNBC.

Related Resources:

Job bias claims at record level (The Associated Press)
EEOC Seeks Input on FY 2012-2016 Strategic Plan (EEOC)
Filing an EEOC Complaint or Charge (FindLaw)
Browse Employment Lawyers by Location (FindLaw)