Tag Archives: Idaho Human Rights Commission

MLK – Idaho Human Rights Day celebration takes place at State Capitol, Jan. 20

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 15, 2025
Media Contact: Ben Earwicker, J.D., Ph.D., Benjamin.Earwicker@labor.idaho.gov, (208) 696-2448

Monday, Jan. 20, will mark the 38th year that Idaho has celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. – Idaho Human Rights Day, first commemoratively and later as a state holiday.

The public is invited to attend ceremonies in the State Capitol’s second-floor rotunda beginning at noon and concluding at 1 p.m.

Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke will join Mamie Oliver, Ph.D, for the celebration. Oliver is an ordained minister, educator, psychotherapist and author. She served as a tenured professor of social work and as the internship coordinator at Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa. Continue reading →

Sept. 11 webinar provides tools to help avoid workforce discrimination claims

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 4, 2024
Media Contact: Benjamin.Earwicker@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho employers and human resource staff are invited to attend a free webinar, Wednesday, Sept. 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. MT. presented by the Idaho Human Rights Commission (IHRC) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

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Celebrating Idaho Human Rights Day

NEWS RELEASEIHRC logo

For Immediate Release: Jan. 10, 2024
Information Contact: Benjamin.Earwicker@labor.idaho.gov, 208-334-2873, ext. 4055

Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, marks the 37th year that Idaho has celebrated Idaho Human Rights/Martin Luther King Jr. Day, first commemoratively and later as a state holiday.

The public is invited to attend a ceremony for Idaho Human Rights Day and the annual event commemorating Dr. King’s birthday on the second floor of the State Capitol Building Rotunda from noon to 1 p.m.

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Employer Online Seminar Jan. 26 Focuses on Discrimination in the Workplace

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 19, 2022
Media Contact: Clinton.Renn@labor.idaho.gov

Southeastern Idaho employers are invited to attend a free Zoom seminar Jan. 26 for a discussion about discrimination in the workplace and related topics. The seminar runs from 9-10 a.m.

Rick Rhodes and Carmen Barney, senior civil rights investigators with the Idaho Human Rights Commission, will discuss types of discrimination complaints, filing and responding to claims, the mediation and resolution process and trends in state and federal anti-discrimination laws.

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Idaho Human Rights Commission Statement on events in Boise on Dec. 8, 2020

For Immediate Release
Contact: Benjamin J. Earwicker, Ph.D., (208) 334-2873 x 4055
December 9, 2020

The Idaho Human Rights Commission strongly denounces the uncivil and threatening behavior against public officials and the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights. Protesting in a manner that degrades, threatens, and intimidates anyone abuses the constitutional right to free speech. We condemn ongoing, reprehensible, and abusive acts against public officials and their families and the posting of Nazi symbols at the Anne Frank Memorial. The Idaho Human Rights Commission stands against such acts of hate and in support of civil and human rights for all Idahoans, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, ability, sex, or age.

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Film Addresses Crimes Against Indigenous Women in U.S. and Canada

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 22, 2020
Information Contact: Benjamin Earwicker, (208) 334-2873 ext. 4055

The public is invited to attend a screening of the film Somebody’s Daughter, a documentary about missing and murdered indigenous women in Canada and the United States. It will be shown March 16, 6 p.m., at the Linen Building, 1402 W. Grove St. in Boise.

This film not only tells stories of the indigenous women and their families, but the jurisdictional and socioeconomic barriers they face, as well.

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Idaho Human Rights Commission Launches Language Access Plan

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 23, 2019
Information Contact: Benjamin Earwicker, (208) 344-2873 ext. 4055

The Idaho Human Rights Commission has launched a new Language Access Plan to ensure speakers of all languages, especially individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP), have access to the commission’s processes and services.

Assistance for limited English proficient customers include:

  • Bilingual staff: Five commission employees are fluent in Spanish and English and available to assist individuals over the phone or in person during normal business hours.
  • Over the phone interpreting: The commission provides customer access to live professional interpreters over the phone for more than 200 languages.
  • Written translation: Individuals can request help with interpretation or translating essential documents, which include written materials critical for accessing commission programs and services.
  • Materials/brochures: Informational brochures are currently available in English and Spanish.

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Idaho Labor Groups Celebrate Idaho Human Rights / Martin Luther King Jr. Day

News Release

For Immediate Release: Jan. 17, 2019
Information Contact: Carmen Barney, Idaho Human Rights Commission, (208) 334-2873 ext. 3682; Renee Bade, Serve Idaho, (208) 332-3578 ext. 4061

Serve Idaho and the Idaho Human Rights Commission are participating in the Idaho Human Rights/Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration at the Idaho State Capitol on Monday, Jan. 21.

Activities are centered in the Capitol rotunda, 2nd floor, beginning at noon Monday with a performance by Boise State University trumpeters.

Gov. Brad Little will read the Idaho Human Rights Day proclamation followed by a keynote speaker and inspiring messages from a diverse array of Idaho citizens. Labor Director Jani Revier will provide closing remarks. The event includes a performance by Mariachi De Mi Tierra, a mariachi composed of local area youth.

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Commemorate MLK Human Rights Day through Volunteerism and Celebration

Monday, Jan. 16 is Martin Luther King Jr. / Idaho Human Rights Day and there are plenty of opportunities throughout Idaho to volunteer and celebrate King’s legacy.

Historically, Martin Luther King Jr. Day marks the recognition of the birth and life of the Baptist minister and noted civil rights leader. National legislation passed in 1994 encouraging Americans to transform the holiday into a day of citizen action in honor of King. If you have Martin Luther King Jr. / Idaho Human Rights Day off, you can put it to good use by participating in one of the many day of service activities across Idaho.

Learn more about events planned around the state:

Southwest Idaho

Boise State University MLK march, rally and celebration. Boise State University poster-making, march and rally to be held on Monday, Jan. 16 beginning at 9 a.m. at the Student Union Jordan Ballroom and ending at the steps of the Idaho State Capitol at noon.

Martin Luther King Jr / Idaho Human Rights Day celebration at the Idaho State Capitol Building on Monday, Jan. 16 at noon. The public is invited to attend this hourlong celebration of “a day of service” honoring the life, accomplishments and continuing legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This event will feature keynote speaker Said Ahmed-Zaid, College of Engineering, Boise State University; master of ceremonies Francisco Salinas, director of student diversity and inclusion, Boise State University and the Boise State University Trumpeters. Allison Tilden will sing the National Anthem.

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FAQ Friday – What questions shouldn’t be asked in a job interview?

Do you have any job openings at your business? Do you have a plan in place to make sure your interview and application process follows legal guidelines?

Here are some questions and answers taken from the guide to lawful applications and interviews created by the Idaho Department of Labor and Idaho Human Rights Commission. Please download a pdf of the full guide for additional information.

How can I know whether my interview questions are discriminatory?

Understanding what discrimination is should help a great deal. Additionally, answering the following questions should help employers avoid most discriminatory inquiries during the pre-employment interview. 1) Do my questions tend to have the effect of screening out persons in protected groups? 2) Is the information I requested really necessary to judge the individual competence for the performance of this particular job?

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