MDHR, St. Cloud printing company settle racial discrimination complaint

State human rights officials on Thursday announced a settlement with a St. Cloud printing company over a racial discrimination complaint.

The Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR) says its investigation found that, from 2018 to 2019, white employees at Nahan regularly harassed a Black employee and his son, who was also an employee, because of their race and the company ignored the harassment complaints.

“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,” MDHR Commissioner Rebecca Lucero said in a statement. “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.”

According to MDHR’s investigation, not only did employees make racist comments, one also refused to shake hands with the Black employees because of their race.

Nahan management was found to have ignored and minimized the complaints, violating their own policy, and a manager also once told a Black employee to “deal with it or leave,” MDHR says.

MDHR says it will monitor Nahan for two years to ensure it complies with the settlement agreement, which includes measures to create a more welcoming workplace and prevent racial discrimination.

Anyone who believes they’ve been discriminated against is urged to fill out this online form or call the state’s Discrimination Helpline at 1-833-454-0148.

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS has reached out to Nahan for comment but hasn’t yet heard back.