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'''The Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://neoc.nebraska.gov/|title=Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission Website|last=|first=|date=|website=State of Nebraska|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> is the state agency that enforces the Nebraska Fair Employment Act of 1965. The commission consists of seven members and an executive director. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://neoc.nebraska.gov/about/about.html|title= Commissioners of the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission|last=|first=|date=|website=State of Nebraska|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> The commission receives and investigates civil rights complaints that allege unlawful discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodation.
'''The Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://neoc.nebraska.gov/|title=Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission Website|last=|first=|date=|website=State of Nebraska|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> is the state agency that enforces the Nebraska Fair Employment Act of 1965. The commission consists of seven members and an executive director.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://neoc.nebraska.gov/about/about.html|title= Commissioners of the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission|last=|first=|date=|website=State of Nebraska|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> The commission receives and investigates civil rights complaints that allege unlawful discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodation.


== Commissioners ==
== Commissioners ==
Line 20: Line 20:


=== Current commissioners ===
=== Current commissioners ===
*Patrick Borchers - Chairperson
*Patrick Borchers - Chairperson
⚫
*Royce Jeffries - Vice-chairperson

⚫
*Kristin Yates - Commissioner
⚫
*Royce Jeffries - Vice-Chairperson
⚫
*Amber Schuppan - Commissioner

⚫
*Kristin Yates - Commissioner

⚫
*Amber Schuppan - Commissioner

*Arla Jo Meyer - Commissioner
*Arla Jo Meyer - Commissioner
⚫
*John Arnold - Vice-chairperson
⚫
*Eric Drumheller - Commissioner


⚫
The executive director (Manra Munn) is a former state employee (Attorney General's Office). Prior to this role, she was a Criminal Defense Lawyer. Chairperson Borchers is a Law Professor at [[Creighton University]]. Vice Chairperson Jeffries and Commissioners John Arnold and Eric Drumheller are current or former business executives. Commissioner Yates is a former Attorney and administrator with the [[University of Nebraska]]. Commissioner Schuppan and Meyer are Realtors. It is unclear if there are any people of color serving on the commission.
⚫
*John Arnold - Vice-Chairperson

⚫
*Eric Drumheller - Commissioner

⚫
The Executive Director (Manra Munn) is a former state employee (Attorney General's Office). Prior to this role, she was a Criminal Defense Lawyer. Chairperson Borchers is a Law Professor at [[Creighton University]]. Vice Chairperson Jeffries and Commissioners John Arnold and Eric Drumheller are current or former business executives. Commissioner Yates is a former Attorney and administrator with the [[University of Nebraska]]. Commissioner Schuppan and Meyer are Realtors. It is unclear if there are any people of color serving on the commission.


== NEOC Historical Background ==
== NEOC Historical Background ==
The Nebraska Equal Opportunity Act was created as a response to the Civil Rights Movement. The unicameral legislature sought to implement its own state laws to complement the recent passage of the [[Civil Rights Act of 1964]]. Originally, the law prohibited discrimination in employment. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=48-1102|title= Nebraska Revised Statute 48-1102 et seq.|last= Nebraska Fair Employment Act |first=|date=|website= Nebraska Legislature|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> However, in 1967, it was expanded to cover equal pay. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=48-1221|title= Nebraska Revised Statute 48-1221 et seq.|last= Nebraska Equal Pay Act|first=|date=|website= Nebraska Legislature|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> In 1969, to cover housing and public accommodation. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=20-139|title= Nebraska Revised Statute 20-139 et seq.|last= Nebraska Fair Housing Act|first=|date=|website= Nebraska Legislature |url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref>
The Nebraska Equal Opportunity Act was created as a response to the Civil Rights Movement. The unicameral legislature sought to implement its own state laws to complement the recent passage of the [[Civil Rights Act of 1964]]. Originally, the law prohibited discrimination in employment.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=48-1102|title= Nebraska Revised Statute 48-1102 et seq.|last= Nebraska Fair Employment Act |first=|date=|website= Nebraska Legislature|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> However, in 1967, it was expanded to cover equal pay.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=48-1221|title= Nebraska Revised Statute 48-1221 et seq.|last= Nebraska Equal Pay Act|first=|date=|website= Nebraska Legislature|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> In 1969, to cover housing and public accommodation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=20-139|title= Nebraska Revised Statute 20-139 et seq.|last= Nebraska Fair Housing Act|first=|date=|website= Nebraska Legislature |url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref>


{{Expand section|date=July 2020}}
{{Expand section|date=July 2020}}


== Criticism ==
== Criticism ==
The commission has been criticized for being slow to process civil rights charges, with a 7+ month delay reported for cases being assigned to investigators and upwards of a year for resolutions. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://workerscompensationwatch.com/2018/05/21/the-neoc-is-slow-to-investigate-claims-here-are-some-alternatives-for-employees-dealing-with-discrimination-on-the-job/|title= The NEOC Is Slow To Investigate Claims, Here Are Some Alternatives For Employees Dealing With Discrimination On The Job|last= Rehm |first= Jon|date=|website= workerscompensationwatch |url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref>
The commission has been criticized for being slow to process civil rights charges, with a 7+ month delay reported for cases being assigned to investigators and upwards of a year for resolutions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://workerscompensationwatch.com/2018/05/21/the-neoc-is-slow-to-investigate-claims-here-are-some-alternatives-for-employees-dealing-with-discrimination-on-the-job/|title= The NEOC Is Slow To Investigate Claims, Here Are Some Alternatives For Employees Dealing With Discrimination On The Job|last= Rehm |first= Jon|date=|website= workerscompensationwatch |url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref>


=== 2018–2019 Civil rights enforcement outcomes ===
=== 2018–2019 Civil rights enforcement outcomes ===
Line 48: Line 42:


=== Discrimination against Latinos===
=== Discrimination against Latinos===
In 2020, the NEOC was sued for failing to hire [[Latinos]]. According to a filed lawsuit in the District Court of Lancaster County, the Executive Director of the commission was accused not hiring highly qualified latinos as civil rights investigators in 2018. <ref>Dini v. Munn/NEOC | 20 CV 611</ref> Since that time, the commission has worked to become more inclusive. Between 2018 to 2019, the NEOC ran several ads in the Omaha area with La Nueva Radio, to improve outreach to the Hispanic community.
In 2020, the NEOC was sued for failing to hire [[Latinos]]. According to a filed lawsuit in the District Court of Lancaster County, the executive director of the commission was accused not hiring highly qualified Latinos as civil rights investigators in 2018.<ref>Dini v. Munn/NEOC | 20 CV 611</ref> Since that time, the commission has worked to become more inclusive. Between 2018 and 2019, the NEOC ran several ads in the Omaha area with La Nueva Radio, to improve outreach to the Hispanic community.


=== Lawsuits ===
=== Lawsuits ===
In 1997, the NEOC was sued for wrongfully firing two of its investigators in the case of [https://caselaw.findlaw.com/ne-supreme-court/1202237.html Shepard et al., v. NEOC]. The Plaintiffs won the case but lost on appeal on constitutional grounds (separation of powers). In 1998, the former Executive Director of the NEOC was found to have fathered children with staff at the commission. A legal dispute would later arise in the case of [https://caselaw.findlaw.com/ne-supreme-court/1252790.html Myers v. NEOC], as the State of Nebraska sought to remove him from the commission. In 1999, two former investigators sued the commission, alleging they were fired in violation of the [[Americans with Disabilities Act]]. Despite winning a jury trial, the case ([https://casetext.com/case/debose-v-nebraska DeBose v. Nebraska, 186 F.3d 1087 (8th Cir. 1999)]), lost on appeal, when a Federal Judge ruled that the ADA didn't apply to States. In 2009, the NEOC was sued again in the case of [https://casetext.com/case/widtfeldt-v-nebraska-equal-opportunity-commission Widtfeldt v. NEOC], for seeking to issue excessive fines on a respondent. In 2017, the NEOC was sued by a complainant for failing to investigate her civil rights charge in the case of [https://www.leagle.com/decision/infdco20170228b14 Birge v. Nebraska Medicine]. In 2020, the NEOC was sued for failing to hire Latinos and taking retribution on a whistle-blower complainant.
In 1997, the NEOC was sued for wrongfully firing two of its investigators in the case of [https://caselaw.findlaw.com/ne-supreme-court/1202237.html Shepard et al., v. NEOC]. The Plaintiffs won the case but lost on appeal on constitutional grounds (separation of powers). In 1998, the former executive director of the NEOC was found to have fathered children with staff at the commission. A legal dispute would later arise in the case of [https://caselaw.findlaw.com/ne-supreme-court/1252790.html Myers v. NEOC], as the State of Nebraska sought to remove him from the commission. In 1999, two former investigators sued the commission, alleging they were fired in violation of the [[Americans with Disabilities Act]]. Despite winning a jury trial, the case ([https://casetext.com/case/debose-v-nebraska DeBose v. Nebraska, 186 F.3d 1087 (8th Cir. 1999)]), lost on appeal, when a Federal Judge ruled that the ADA didn't apply to States. In 2009, the NEOC was sued again in the case of [https://casetext.com/case/widtfeldt-v-nebraska-equal-opportunity-commission Widtfeldt v. NEOC], for seeking to issue excessive fines on a respondent. In 2017, the NEOC was sued by a complainant for failing to investigate her civil rights charge in the case of [https://www.leagle.com/decision/infdco20170228b14 Birge v. Nebraska Medicine]. In 2020, the NEOC was sued for failing to hire Latinos and taking retribution on a whistle-blower complainant.


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 05:22, 9 January 2022

Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission
TypeCivil Rights Agency
HeadquartersCentennial Government Building
Location
  • Lincoln, Nebraska
Commission Chairperson
Patrick Borchers
Executive Director
Marna Munn
Websitehttps://neoc.nebraska.gov

The Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission[1] is the state agency that enforces the Nebraska Fair Employment Act of 1965. The commission consists of seven members and an executive director.[2] The commission receives and investigates civil rights complaints that allege unlawful discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodation.

Commissioners

Executive director

  • Marna Munn

Current commissioners

  • Patrick Borchers - Chairperson
  • Royce Jeffries - Vice-chairperson
  • Kristin Yates - Commissioner
  • Amber Schuppan - Commissioner
  • Arla Jo Meyer - Commissioner
  • John Arnold - Vice-chairperson
  • Eric Drumheller - Commissioner

The executive director (Manra Munn) is a former state employee (Attorney General's Office). Prior to this role, she was a Criminal Defense Lawyer. Chairperson Borchers is a Law Professor at Creighton University. Vice Chairperson Jeffries and Commissioners John Arnold and Eric Drumheller are current or former business executives. Commissioner Yates is a former Attorney and administrator with the University of Nebraska. Commissioner Schuppan and Meyer are Realtors. It is unclear if there are any people of color serving on the commission.

NEOC Historical Background

The Nebraska Equal Opportunity Act was created as a response to the Civil Rights Movement. The unicameral legislature sought to implement its own state laws to complement the recent passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Originally, the law prohibited discrimination in employment.[3] However, in 1967, it was expanded to cover equal pay.[4] In 1969, to cover housing and public accommodation.[5]

Criticism

The commission has been criticized for being slow to process civil rights charges, with a 7+ month delay reported for cases being assigned to investigators and upwards of a year for resolutions.[6]

2018–2019 Civil rights enforcement outcomes

Civil Rights Claims

Discrimination against Latinos

In 2020, the NEOC was sued for failing to hire Latinos. According to a filed lawsuit in the District Court of Lancaster County, the executive director of the commission was accused not hiring highly qualified Latinos as civil rights investigators in 2018.[7] Since that time, the commission has worked to become more inclusive. Between 2018 and 2019, the NEOC ran several ads in the Omaha area with La Nueva Radio, to improve outreach to the Hispanic community.

Lawsuits

In 1997, the NEOC was sued for wrongfully firing two of its investigators in the case of Shepard et al., v. NEOC. The Plaintiffs won the case but lost on appeal on constitutional grounds (separation of powers). In 1998, the former executive director of the NEOC was found to have fathered children with staff at the commission. A legal dispute would later arise in the case of Myers v. NEOC, as the State of Nebraska sought to remove him from the commission. In 1999, two former investigators sued the commission, alleging they were fired in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Despite winning a jury trial, the case (DeBose v. Nebraska, 186 F.3d 1087 (8th Cir. 1999)), lost on appeal, when a Federal Judge ruled that the ADA didn't apply to States. In 2009, the NEOC was sued again in the case of Widtfeldt v. NEOC, for seeking to issue excessive fines on a respondent. In 2017, the NEOC was sued by a complainant for failing to investigate her civil rights charge in the case of Birge v. Nebraska Medicine. In 2020, the NEOC was sued for failing to hire Latinos and taking retribution on a whistle-blower complainant.

References

  1. ^ "Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission Website". State of Nebraska.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ "Commissioners of the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission". State of Nebraska.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ Nebraska Fair Employment Act. "Nebraska Revised Statute 48-1102 et seq". Nebraska Legislature.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ Nebraska Equal Pay Act. "Nebraska Revised Statute 48-1221 et seq". Nebraska Legislature.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ Nebraska Fair Housing Act. "Nebraska Revised Statute 20-139 et seq". Nebraska Legislature.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ Rehm, Jon. "The NEOC Is Slow To Investigate Claims, Here Are Some Alternatives For Employees Dealing With Discrimination On The Job". workerscompensationwatch.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ Dini v. Munn/NEOC | 20 CV 611
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