The Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Committee recently joined the Michigan Competitive Workforce Coalition (MCWC), which is pushing for updates to Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA). The coalition is calling for the addition of sexual orientation and gender identity protections under Michigan law.
Currently, the ELCRA makes it illegal to subject people to differential treatment based on religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status or marital status. Employers are also prohibited from discriminating in hiring, compensation or the terms, conditions or employment privileges. Sexual orientation and gender identity are not included under ELCRA.
According to the coalition, many Michigan job providers see the exclusion of these provisions as a barrier to attracting new skilled workers to the state.
For more information about MCWC visit www.michcwc.org.