Equal Opportunity

Equal Opportunity is the Law

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is an equal opportunity employer and program provider.

DEED as an Employer

The MN Department of Employment and Economic Development is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action and Beyond the Yellow Ribbon employer. We leverage our diverse workforce to best meet the needs of the Minnesotans we serve, and that means we do our best work when we include the voices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, individuals with disabilities, women, veterans, former justice-involved individuals, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

One of our core values is to Create Inclusion - We actively remove barriers that have historically left people out. We believe we're far stronger when we are inclusive and equitable. We respect opinions that are different than ours and we seek out diverse perspectives in the planning and execution of our work.

At DEED, the following policies are in place to affirm these values:

Our Affirmative Action Plans detail how DEED works to recruit and retain a representative workforce that is diverse, inclusive, equitable and accessible to all employees. The plan also includes guidance on how to file a complaint if our above policies are not upheld by employees, applicants for employment, interns, third parties, consultants, customers of DEED's services, or contractors under management of DEED.

DEED as a Program Provider

No one will be denied the opportunity to participate in DEED's programs, employment, or promotion, based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, sex stereotyping, transgender status, and gender identity), national origin (including limited English proficiency), age, disability, creed, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, genetic information, membership in a local human rights commission, or political affiliation or belief, or against any beneficiary of, applicant to, or participant in programs financially assisted under Title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), on the basis of the individual's citizenship status or participation in any WIOA Title I financially assisted program or activity.

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is a law authorizing federal funding for workforce development activities. It is the foundation of our workforce development initiatives and job-training programs for adults and youth.

The WIOA Equal Opportunity is the Law Poster provides initial and continuing notice that program providers do not discriminate on any prohibited basis. Posters are available in the following alternate languages:

Our WIOA Nondiscrimination Plan explains how all recipients and subrecipients of WIOA Title I funding will comply, and are complying, with the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity provisions.

Policy and Guidance

Discrimination

If you think you have been subjected to discrimination under a DEED program or activity, you may file a complaint with DEED's Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity by completing this complaint form and mail, email or fax it to:

Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity
180 E 5th St Suite 1200
St. Paul, MN 55101
Heather.Stein@state.mn.us
ODEO.DEED@state.mn.us
Phone: 651-259-7097
Fax: 651-297-5343

Accessibility

  • DEED has an Accessibility Statement committing to making its websites accessible to all persons.
  • Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
  • If you are an individual with a disability who has trouble accessing any documents on our website, please contact DEED.Accessibility@state.mn.us to receive that document in alternative formats.
  • If you have comments or concerns about the accessibility of DEED's websites, or about any state-agency websites, use the Minnesota E-Government Accessibility/Usability Comment Form.

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