Public Hearing Summaries – Commission For Human Rights

In Michael Hansen vs. The New Printer's Workshop, complainant alleged that respondent terminated his employment in retaliation for his filing a discrimination complaint with the Commission. A public hearing before OAH was held on November 4-5, 2009. On June 9, 2010, the ALJ issued a recommended decision finding that respondent retaliated against complainant by firing him and recommending that respondent pay complainant $1,440 in back pay and obtain anti-discrimination training for its managers and employees. On June 20, 2011, the Commission adopted the recommended decision in a final order.

In Dennis Phillips vs. Tew's Excavation, Inc., complainant alleged that respondent discriminated against him because of his sex when respondent’s owner subjected him to unwelcome, degrading comments and offensive conduct of a sexual nature. Complainant alleged that the owner’s behavior made his working conditions so intolerable that he was forced to resign from his position as a shop mechanic. A public hearing was held on December 9-11, 2009. On May 27, 2011, the ALJ issued a recommended decision finding that respondent’s crude language and gestures were insufficient to create a hostile work environment and that complainant was not constructively discharged. On November 9, 2011, the Commission adopted the ALJ’s recommended decision and dismissed the case.

In Vilma Anderson vs. Anchorage School District, complainant alleged that respondent discriminated against her on the basis of her physical disability, retinitis pigmentosa, which causes her tunnel vision and blindness. Complainant alleged that respondent terminated her employment as a substitute teacher because it wrongly believed she could not safely and effectively do her job. Complainant also alleged that respondent refused to accommodate her by not allowing her to bring her service dog to work. A public hearing was held on December 2-5, 2009, before the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH). On April 27, 2010, the administrative law judge issued a recommended decision finding that the school district violated the Human Rights Law and ordering it to pay the complainant back pay of $43,000, plus interest, and to obtain training for its managers and supervisors. On July 30, 2010, the Commission adopted the recommended decision with one modification, expanding the required training from 3 hours in length to 8 hours.

In Harry Ross vs. SOA, DCED, Alaska Railroad, complainant alleged that respondent failed to promote him because of his race, Black. After a public hearing, the Commission dismissed the case. Complainant appealed the decision to superior court, and on March 30, 2012, the court reversed the Commission’s decision and remanded the case to the Commission. The Commission referred the matter to the Office of Administrative Hearings, and the parties briefed the issues on remand to an administrative law judge. Briefing was completed on December 11, 2012. On April 28, 2014, the administrative law judge issued a decision recommending that the Commission again dismiss the case. On May 19, 2014, the ALJ forwarded the record to the Commission. On August 30, 2016, the Commission issued a final order dismissing the case.