County adds LGBT protections to employment policy

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are now protected in writing under Minnehaha County's equal opportunity and affirmative action policy.

Commissioners amended the county's hiring and harassment policy Tuesday to add LGBT individuals to the list of classes protected under federal hiring and employment discrimination laws. One commissioner voted against the change, arguing that the LGBT community was already protected and that federal officials shouldn't get to write local rules.

"I feel it's covered now. I don't think we need to change it," Commissioner Dick Kelly said following the 4-1 vote. "I get mad when they start telling us to wordsmith our own policies."

The change, prompted by a July 2014 executive order signed by President Obama, brings county policy in line with hiring practices used by Minnehaha County for decades, said CareyJo Deaver, human resources director for the county.

"Minnehaha County has a longstanding tradition of taking the steps necessary to prevent discrimination and harassment in the workplace," she said. "At heart this requires very little change for Minnehaha County. We've long considered gender identity … a protected group, and I believe we've referenced sexual orientation since the 1970s."

Kelly said he agrees the LGBT community should be protected by discrimination laws, but he voted against amending the policy because, as Deaver suggested, the change won't impact how the county does business.

Deaver said no matter what practices were used up to this point, unless the county's hiring and harassment policy makes specific reference to sexual orientation and gender identify, Minnehaha County would be out of compliance with federal discrimination laws.