BRAINERD — A Brainerd ice house manufacturer must pay $115,000 in a settlement with a former employee it fired while they were on disability leave for cancer treatment.
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights reported the Glacier Ice House employee was one of several laid off during their 2023 leave. But while other employees were allowed to transition to other open positions, this employee was not.
In multiple conversations, company leaders mentioned the employee’s medical condition as a factor in their employment decision, according to the state department.
Minnesota law prohibits employers from discriminating against employees because of a disability. The law also prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for taking disability leave.
In addition to the payout, Glacier must also strengthen its policies and training related to employees with disabilities. The company must also provide twice-annual reports to the human rights department.
The state will monitor its compliance for three years.
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Events this week include Indigenous Peoples Day events in Bemidji, Grand Rapids and Brainerd, plus a few local theater productions.
