2018_0221_HRIEC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Human Rights, Inclusion and Engagement Commission Minutes January 17, 2018 —Draft Minutes Page 2 of 11 Youth Commissioner Report Youth Commissioner Hansel announced on January 31, the Human Rights Club will be teaching 150 ninth graders about human rights current events such as human trafficking, DACA, and the war on drugs in the Philippines. Youth Commissioner Iverson reported he spoke with Gabe Cederburg and teachers regarding the summer book read. Commissioner Djevi inquired if Commissioners could attend the event on January 31. Youth Commissioner Hansel stated they will be going into classrooms during the normal school day and was unsure if Commissioners could attend. New Business a. Commissioner of Minnesota Department of Human Rights Ms. Olson provided a history on what led to inviting Minnesota Human Rights Commissioner Kevin Lindsey. Commissioner Lindsey stated the Minnesota Department of Humans Rights has been in existence for 50 years. They investigate as well as monitor other State contractors and agencies. If a contract is over $500,000, they make sure women are paid fairly to men. They also provide education, conference and conciliation. Due to changes in jurisdiction, they now handle school bullying, emerging entrepreneurship, and ensuring private employers are not using criminal history until a person has been given an interview. Commissioner Lindsey explained the jurisdiction of the department is broad, and employment is the most common kind of complaint that is filed. On average,they investigate 600 to 800 charges each year. The most common type of employment discrimination is disability discrimination, with gender or racial discrimination following, and have investigated discrimination in 81 of the 87 counties in Minnesota. There were 10 closed cases that originated in Roseville, that included a sexual harassment case and racial profiling within a department store. Most cases were non-probable cause (insufficient evidence) and 2 employment cases were dismissed and settled. Commissioner Lindsey explained the process for filing an employment discrimination complaint. After meeting with the person filing the complaint, they draft a charge document explaining why they think discrimination has occurred. The charging parry would sign the document and the investigation process would begin. After receiving addition information from the employer, they would meet with the charging parry, identify issues, and additional people for them to meet with. They would then try to strategically attain credibility determinations. They then provide a determination document that broadly summarizes the charges and information gathered, and