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Workplace Discrimination Not a Solution
A letter to the editor by Commissioner Watson Haynes.
The article “Some former employees turn to lawyers to pursue claims of illegal firing” published on May 17 in the Times brought to light important issues regarding discrimination in the workplace.
During these hard economic times, many employers are seeking ways to reduce operational costs. However, it is important to remember that discrimination and disparate treatment can lead to lawsuits, decreased employee productivity and morale, and retaliation from the community. Firing or demoting a person based on their protected class is never a viable option.
2009 marks the 40th anniversary of the creation of the Florida Commission on Human Relations. I encourage everyone to learn their rights and responsibilities as employers, employees, and patrons under state and national civil rights laws. By arming ourselves with information, we can work towards eliminating unfair treatment in the workplace.
-Commissioner Watson Haynes
St. Petersburg
