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Wisconsin (WI) Job Discrimination Law in the Workplace

September 22nd, 2006 Posted by Rachel

As a citizen you are afforded basic rights and liberties and these should be protected in the workplace as well. You should be free to seek employment or to work in an environment absent of harassment or discrimination based on personal traits or characteristics. Everyone should have equal rights and opportunities in the workplace. There are federal laws in place, which protect such rights, and many states have developed their own set of definitions and practices regarding anti-discrimination laws. Some states are more elaborate in their definition of discrimination and broaden the statutes set by the federal government .In Wisconsin, the Department of Workforce Development enforces the laws and offers guidance and information to the public and employers about what constitutes discrimination and how to comply with the law.

Wisconsin (WI) Job Discrimination Law in the Workplace affords workers protection in all aspects of employment. Employers, employment agencies, labor unions and licensing agencies are bound to the laws in their practices. According to the law they are prohibited from discriminating against employees or applicants because of their race, color, creed, age, ancestry, disability, marital status, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy or childbirth. Additionally arrest record, conviction record, genetic or honesty testing, membership in the military and use or non-use of lawful products during non-working hours is all protected under the law. Employees are afforded protection from harassment in the workplace based on their protected status nor may they be retaliated against for filing a complaint or opposing discrimination.

If you feel your rights under Wisconsin (WI) Job Discrimination Law in the Workplace have been compromised you may file a complaint within 300 days of the occurrence. . The complaint is assigned to an equal rights officer to be investigated. The investigator acts impartially and independently, and represents neither the person filing the complaint nor the employer being complained against.