MDHR: 2 companies settle sex discrimination claims by truck driver, flight attendant

A pair of companies will have to shell out thousands of dollars and implement reforms as part of settlements with the state over wrongful sexual stereotyping.

The Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR) says Lakes Concrete Plus and Key Lime Air will each have to pay $45,000 and ensure a discrimination-free workplace going forward to settle their cases.

In the case involving Lakes Concrete Plus, the state says a woman was fired from her job as a concrete truck driver specifically because of her gender.

MDHR says the manager told the woman that the job wasn’t “women’s work” and that she needed a “more fitting” job.

Key Lime Air, on the other hand, refused to hire a qualified man as a flight attendant, openly acknowledging to the state that it believes women are “better” for the job, according to MDHR.

The settlement money from each company will go to the impacted former employee and applicant.

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS has reached out to both companies for comment and will update this story if a response is received.

“In Minnesota, we know that work should provide for food and warmth in our homes and our communities, not discrimination,” MDHR Commissioner Rebecca Lucero said. “And we’ve worked hard to eliminate the notion that certain jobs ought to be performed by a woman or a man. Yet, these two cases demonstrate that there is still work left to do. Minnesota’s civil rights laws require workplaces to proactively prevent and address discrimination because both employers and employees are stronger when civil rights laws are followed.”

MDHR says 22% of Minnesotans who file charges with the agency allege sex discrimination.

Anyone who believes they’ve been discriminated against can report it to MDHR here.
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