A recent report reveals that allegations of discrimination, particularly concerning race and gender, are the most frequent complaints among U.S. judiciary employees. The non-partisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) conducted a two-year study at the request of Democratic lawmakers to assess how the federal judiciary addresses workplace misconduct for its 30,000 employees. The findings indicate that from 2020 to 2022, there were 161 claims of wrongful conduct, with discrimination being the predominant issue.
The study uncovered that most complaints centered around racial discrimination, followed by grievances related to gender, disability, and age. The judiciary’s handling of these complaints has come under scrutiny, especially as it operates outside the bounds of federal anti-discrimination laws like Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Instead, it relies on its internal Employment Dispute Resolution (EDR) systems, which lack transparency.
In one notable case, Alaska Judge Joshua Kindred resigned after an investigation revealed a hostile work environment and an inappropriate relationship with a law clerk. This incident, among others, has prompted calls from lawmakers for stronger protections and better oversight within the judiciary.
The GAO’s report also highlighted the limitations in data collection and the need for more comprehensive measures to assess workplace conduct. While judiciary officials have shown some willingness to consider the GAO’s recommendations, concerns remain about the potential impact on reporting if informal complaints are documented.
As the judiciary moves forward, there is a pressing need to align its practices with those recommended by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and to adopt performance measures to evaluate the effectiveness of its efforts. The report’s findings underscore a critical need for reform to ensure a respectful and professional work environment for all judiciary employees.
