State Department of Human Rights Settles with Local Printing Company Over Racial Discrimination Claims

(KNSI) — The Minnesota Department of Human Rights says it has reached a settlement agreement with Nahan Printing in St. Cloud, requiring the company to enforce policies that prevent racial discrimination and create a more welcoming workplace.

According to the investigation, from 2018 to 2019, white employees at Nahan regularly harassed a Black employee and his son, who also worked at the company, because of their race and made racist comments and used racial epithets toward the two. One employee also reportedly refused to shake hands with the men because of their race. Although they said they repeatedly reported the incidents to management, they were ignored, their concerns were minimized, and in one instance, a manager allegedly told the Black employee, “Deal with it or leave.”

The department says the company’s refusal to meaningfully address the racist work environment ultimately forced the Black employee and his son to quit their jobs.

In 2021, the MDHR found Nahan violated the Minnesota Human Rights Act, which prohibits workplace racial discrimination.

“What’s concerning here is not just that employees were using racial slurs when referring to their fellow Black colleagues and making derogatory comments about Black people, but that management knew this was occurring and did nothing to stop it,” said Minnesota Department of Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero. “This case demonstrates the persistence of racial discrimination and highlights how employers must proactively and intentionally work to end discriminatory practices to create a welcoming workplace for Black Minnesotans.”

MDHR will monitor the company for two years to ensure compliance with the settlement agreement.

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