Wisconsin’s Fair Employment Law

What Is the Law’s Purpose?

The purpose of the law is to protect the rights of people to employment free of unlawful discrimination.

It is unlawful, for public and private employers, employment agencies, licensing agencies and unions, to refuse to hire, to discharge, or otherwise discriminate in any term or condition of work, because of a person’s protected class.
The protected classes are shown below. The fair employment law is contained in Sections 111.31-111.395, of the Wisconsin Statutes.
It is important to note that unfair treatment is not necessarily unlawful. Certain employment actions may be harsh, insensitive or unjust. But, they do not become unlawful under the above law unless an adverse action is taken, at least in part, because of a person’s protected class.

What Protections Are Provided?

Generally, it is unlawful to treat people less favorably than others because of their protected class. The law prohibits discrimination in employment related actions such as:

Recruitment and hiring
Pay
Promotion
Training
Lay-off and firing
Demotion
Job Assignments
Leave or benefits
Licensing or union membership
Other employment related actions

Other prohibited practices are:

Retaliation against persons who assert there rights under the fair employment law, the family and medical leave law and other labor standards laws.
Harassment on the job because of a person’s sex or because of their particular protected class.
Engaging in most types of Genetic Testing or giving an improper Honesty Test.

Protected Classes

Race-

Generally, a member of a group united or classified together on the basis of common history, nationality or geography.

Color-

Black to white and all colors in between.

Creed

Religious, moral or ethical beliefs about right and wrong that are sincerely held. Employer has “duty to accommodate.”

Ancestry-

The country, nation, tribe or other identifiable group from which one descends.

National Origin-

Generally a member of a nation by origin, birth or naturalization or having common origins or traditions.

Age-

Being age 40 or older.

Sex/Gender-

Depends, can apply to both males and females.

Disability-

Physical or mental impairment making achievement difficult or limiting work capacity or having a record of or being perceived as having a disability. Employer has “duty to accommodate.”

Arrest/Conviction Record-

Information indicating a person was questioned, arrested, charged or convicted of a felony or misdemeanor.

Marital Status-

Status of being married, single, divorced, separated or widowed.

Sexual Orientation-

Having a preference for heterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexuality or having a history of or being identified as having a preference.

Military Reserve Membership-

Member of the National Guard, states defense force or other state or federal reserve unit.

Outside Lawful Products-

Use or nonuse of lawful products (e.g., tobacco, alcohol) off the employer’s premises during nonworking hours.

Are There Any Exceptions under the Law?

Yes, there are times when an employer may “legally” discriminate even though a person may otherwise be protected under the law. While legal exceptions are very limited and uncommon, a few examples of cases where an exception might apply include:

Conviction Record: An employer may reject an applicant or fire an employee whose conviction is substantially related to the job.

Age: In certain physically dangerous or hazardous jobs an employer may set maximum age requirements.

Marital Status: An employer may prevent a person from directly supervising his or her spouse.

Disability: In limited cases, employment of a person with a disability may present a significant risk of real harm to the health or safety of the individual or others.

Federal Anti-Discrimination Laws

Federal laws differ from state laws, as do procedures for complaint handling. The most common federal laws that might apply are shown below:

Title VII is part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e
ADEA stands for the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, 29 U.S.C. § 621-643.
ADA stands for the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §12101 ET seq.
EPA stands for the Equal Pay Act of 1964, 29 U.S.C. § 206

For more details on these laws and information about filing a federal discrimination complaint, contact:

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
310 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 800
Milwaukee, WI 53203
(414) 297-1111
(414) 297-1115 (TTY)
1 (800) 669-4000 (Toll Free)

The Complaint Process

How Is A Complaint Filed Under Wisconsin Law?

A person, who believes he or she is a victim of unlawful employment discrimination, may file a complaint with the Equal Rights Division within 300 days of the discriminatory action.

Follow this link for a Complaint Form with instructions. Please see the end of this document for the telephone numbers and addresses of our main Division offices.

How Long Does It Take?

Resolution of some cases may take longer than one year . The Division makes every effort to settle or resolve cases in a timely manner.

What Happens after A Complaint Is Filed?

The complaint is assigned to an equal rights officer to be investigated. The investigator acts impartially and independently, and represents neither the complainant (person filing the complaint) nor the respondent (employer being complained against). The investigator cannot give legal advice to the parties. An attorney should be contacted if either party needs legal advice. (The Division can provide a list of attorneys who handle fair employment cases).
After the division receives a complaint, a copy is sent to the respondent, who must provide a written answer to the complaint. The investigator may contact the complainant after receiving this answer and may want more information from the parties or any witnesses. The investigator may ask the parties if they want to resolve the case through a settlement.

Consider Settlement

Settlement is often a good option for both parties. The staff is trained to assist the parties’ in working out a fair and equitable resolution and in drafting a voluntary agreement. The parties should seriously consider the merits of settlement at any time in the process, even up to the day of a formal hearing. Let us know if you would like more details on the merits of settlement and how it is handled.
If a case is not settled, the equal rights officer will complete an investigation and then write an initial determination of whether there is “Probable Cause” or “No Probable Cause” to believe that the law has been violated.
Probable Cause (PC) is not a finding of discrimination. It means there was enough believable information about discrimination to send the case on for a hearing on its merits.
No Probable Cause (NPC) This finding means there was not enough evidence of discrimination. It does not always mean there was no discrimination. The case is dismissed, unless the complainant files a written appeal within 30 days.

What Happens At A Formal Hearing?

Discrimination hearings are similar to a court proceeding. Both parties present evidence under oath before an administrative law judge (ALJ).
The ALJ reviews the evidence and hears testimony of witnesses, then issues a decision on whether or not discrimination occurred. All relevant evidence and testimony must be presented at this hearing. It is the only chance for the parties to do so. Information given earlier to the investigator is not considered at the hearing.
The ALJ cannot represent either party. Legal counsel may be advisable at this point, but is not required.

What Remedies Are Available?

If discrimination is proven by a complainant under state law, an ALJ can award wages lost, interest on lost wages, attorney fees and costs. A job offer may also be ordered, if appropriate. Either party may appeal the ALJ'S decision.
Additional relief for damages such as humiliation and emotional pain or for punitive damages may be awarded only if a case is filed in federal court.

Are Complaint Records Open to the Public?

Complaint records are open for public review. However, during the investigation, files (other than the complaint itself) are open only to the parties involved in the dispute.

Questions about employment discrimination should be directed to:
STATE OF WISCONSIN
DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
EQUAL RIGHTS DIVISION
CIVIL RIGHTS BUREAU
201 E WASHINGTON AVE
ROOM A300
PO BOX 8928
MADISON WI 53708

Telephone Number: (608) 266-6860
TTY Number: (608) 264-8752
Or
819 N 6th ST
ROOM 255
MILWAUKEE WI 53203

Telephone Number: (414) 227-4384
TTY Number: (414) 227-4081