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South Dakota (SD) Job Discrimination Law in the Workplace

September 20th, 2006 Posted by Rachel

Many states have developed their own set of definitions and practices regarding anti-discrimination laws. Many have developed a division or agency to handle such matters.In South Dakota, the Division of Human Rights is the agency that is there to inform and protect the public, by offering information to employers in an attempt to eliminate discrimination.

Under South Dakota (SD) Job Discrimination Law in the Workplace it is illegal for an employer to refuse to hire a person, to discharge or lay off an employee, harass or to treat persons differently in the terms and conditions of employment because of race, color, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy), ancestry, disability, or national origin. It is also illegal for a labor union to refuse membership or deny any rights on any of these bases. Employment agencies cannot refuse applicants or treat them any differently. Furthermore it is against the law for an employer, labor union, or employment agencyto advertise job openings or union memberships indicating a preference for or excluding a particular race, color, creed, religion, sex (includes pregnancy), ancestry, disability, or national origin.

South Dakota (SD) Job Discrimination Law in the Workplace is enforced through the Division. If you feel that you have been discriminated against you would file a complaint. It would then be investigated and if a complaint is justified the first step the division takes is to try and settle the matter by conference and conciliation. If a voluntary settlement were not successful than a public hearing would be held and final orders to correct any discriminatory practices and to prevent their recurrence would be issued. South Dakota (SD) Job Discrimination Law in the Workplace also protects those who have filed a complaint, have testified on a matter, or assisted the division in carrying out actions against discrimination.