ST. PAUL, Minn. — Amid tears and heartfelt discussions at the state Capitol last Tuesday, Norma Izaguirre recounted her troubling experience while working for Absolute Drywall, a contractor based in Minnesota. Through a translator, Izaguirre, who primarily speaks Spanish, detailed to reporters how she believes her dismissal from the company was due to her attempting to report a sexual assault by a co-worker.
Izaguirre claims that her former co-worker, Juan Diego Medina Cisneros, sexually assaulted her while she was on duty at the Viking Lakes apartment complex in Eagan. Initially, the company dismissed her allegations, suggesting the relations were consensual, but Medina Cisneros later admitted guilt and was sentenced to three years in prison.
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights and the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office have stepped in, supporting Izaguirre in her civil lawsuit against Absolute Drywall. The lawsuit accuses the company of repeatedly ignoring harassment claims before finally terminating her employment. Izaguirre expressed gratitude for the state’s support, highlighting a broader issue of rampant sexual harassment and assault facing Latina women in the construction industry.
Rebecca Lucero, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, emphasized the commitment of her department to investigate all complaints of discrimination diligently, with no regard to the complainant’s immigration status. This action aligns with the Minnesota Human Rights Act, reaffirming the state’s stance against discrimination.
Furthermore, a recent survey by the National Library of Medicine highlights the prevalence of sexual harassment within Latinx communities employed in various low-wage jobs in Boston, reinforcing the challenges these workers face.
The survey revealed that a significant number of the 52 Hispanic women interviewed had either witnessed or endured sexual harassment at work. Specifically, 34% of these incidents occurred in businesses employing fewer than 10 workers, illustrating the potential vulnerability of employees in smaller work environments.
Attorney General Keith Ellison also spoke out, condemning the actions of Absolute Drywall and the broader implications of such incidents. He lauded Minnesota’s discrimination laws as among the strongest in the country, stating that the state’s involvement in the lawsuit sends a clear message to all sectors about the importance of respecting and protecting workers’ rights.
This case has brought to light the systemic issues of harassment and the barriers employees face when reporting these incidents. Fear of retaliation, lack of awareness about reporting procedures, and emotional repercussions like shame and guilt many times prevent employees from coming forward. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s data from studies between 2018 and 2021 supports these findings, showing high rates of sexual harassment claims linked with retaliation charges.
As the legal proceedings against Absolute Drywall continue, other contractors associated with them, like Eagle Building Company, are watching closely. Nick Williams, Vice President of Eagle Building Company, stated via email that they do not support or condone the alleged actions and will reassess their business relationships once the legal issues are resolved.
As this case unfolds, it serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing struggles against workplace discrimination and the importance of robust legal frameworks to protect the most vulnerable workers.
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