It’s the 57th anniversary of one of the strongest civil rights laws in the country – the Minnesota Human Rights Act!

While we take a moment to celebrate, we also know that discrimination is pervasive and persistent.

That’s why we’re focused on using the full power of the Minnesota Human Rights Act to build a world where everyone can lead lives full of dignity and joy, free from discrimination. 

In this newsletter: Learn about four ways we’re working to eliminate discrimination in Minnesota.

1. Investigating discrimination

Over the past year, we’ve highlighted some cases in the media that we investigated. Through this work, we made sure that Minnesotans know what they can do to prevent and address discrimination.

Why they’re important: These cases send a strong message about the importance of preventing discrimination by having strong anti-discrimination policies, enforcing those policies, and training on those policies.

Catch up:

• Employer fired an employee within an hour of learning she was pregnant
• Lawsuit against printing company for failing to stop a supervisor from repeatedly sexually harassing and assaulting two employees
• Successful end of consent decree with CSL Plasma for gender identity discrimination
• PL Dental fired an employee because of her pregnancy
• Settlement in religious discrimination case against largest aviation services company in North America

2. Spreading the word about new laws

This year, important new laws went into effect. We did a lot of outreach and education about the pay history law and other new changes to the Minnesota Human Rights Act.

Why they’re important: Minnesotans deserve strong laws that prevent discrimination.

Catch up:

• Pay history: This new law prohibits employers from asking about or considering an applicant’s past or current pay during the hiring process. If you’ve been asked about your past pay while applying for a job, please contact us.
• Definition of disability is more inclusive: Minnesotans with intermittent health conditions like diabetes or epilepsy, or who have cancer in remission, will now have protections from disability discrimination under the Minnesota Human Rights Act. Learn more about this and other changes.

3. The road to transformational change with the City of Minneapolis and MPD

Transformational change requires continuous learning and doesn’t take place overnight. That’s why we continue to work with the City of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Police Department, community members, and the monitoring team.

Why they’re important: Minneapolis community members deserve to be treated with humanity. The court enforceable agreement provides the framework for lawful, non-discriminatory policing, reduces unnecessary dangers for officers, and results in better public safety for Minneapolis.

Catch up:

• Monitoring team in place: Effective Law Enforcement for All will support and hold the City and MPD accountable to address race-based policing by strengthening public safety.

4. Centering the customer experience

Whether you’re a business applying for a Workforce Certificate, someone reporting discrimination, or a business or a landlord responding to a charge of discrimination, we want to make sure you have a smooth experience. That’s why we’re finding ways to improve how everyone interacts with us.

Why they’re important: When we focus on the customer experience, we put the needs of Minnesotans at the center.

Catch up:

• Investigating discrimination: Using feedback from individuals who reported discrimination to us, we have made it easier to easily schedule time with an investigator during the initial intake process. This has already resulted in decreasing the time it takes for someone to move through this process.
• Contractor portal: Using feedback from businesses, we are in the initial stages of developing a portal for contractors to submit information for their Workforce and Equal Pay Certificates to improve their experience. Launching in 2025!
• Plain language: We’re making updates to our website, forms, and applications to make sure Minnesotans can easily read, understand, and use them.