// Lake Michigan Mystery Material: Maple Syrup
Democrat members Indiana’s House of Representatives who walked out of the general assembly in 2011 and 2012 have to pay for their walkout.
Legislative battles are being fought all over the country over whether or not to let home-schooled students play on public high school teams.
June 18, 2013 — A state agency says it is found probable cause to support a complaint against northwest Indiana’s division of international steelmaker Arcelor-Mittal for discrimination based on race and/or disability. Today, the Indiana Civil Rights Commission issued the following information: “Arcelor-Mittal USA charged with violating Indiana Civil Rights Law and ADA INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Civil Rights Commission’s (ICRC) Deputy Director, Akia Haynes, announced today that the agency has issued a finding that there is probable cause to believe that Arcelor-Mittal USA, located in Burns Harbor, Indiana, violated the Indiana Civil Rights Law and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This charge stems from the state’s investigation finding that Arcelor-Mittal USA asked Adecco, their contracted staffing agency, to replace an African-American employee because of a hospital stay related to her documented Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). ‘The issue before the Commission is whether the employee was meeting the employer’s legitimate business expectations prior to being hospitalized,’ said Haynes. ‘We also have to determine how the treatment the employee in question received compares to similarly-situated non-disabled employees of another race.’ The probable cause finding issued stems from the August 27, 2012 Complaint alleging discrimination on the basis of disability and race. According to the available evidence, the Complainant was hired by Adecco and then assigned to work as an order entry analyst with Arcelor-Mittal USA in August 2011. Due to an ongoing conflict with a co-worker, the Complaining party’s PTSD worsened, ultimately leading to the employee’s hospitalization from July 31, 2012 through August 9, 2012. Despite multiple attempts by the Complaining party’s family to inform both Adecco and Arcelor-Mittal USA of Complainant’s condition, a request was made for someone else to perform the employee’s job duties. While it is unclear whether Adecco or Arcelor-Mittal USA initiated the termination process and equally unclear which party formally terminated the Charging party, Arcelor-Mittal USA actively agreed that it wanted someone else to assume the employee’s duties in her absence. ‘Evidence shows that Arcelor-Mittal USA failed to engage in an interactive communication process with the Charging party to determine a reasonable accommodation,’ added Haynes. ‘Further, two non-disabled female employees of another race who held the same position as the charging party were permitted to take leaves of absence exceeding five (5) days without being terminated.’ It is important to note that a finding of probable cause does not resolve a civil rights Complaint. Rather, it means the State has concluded its preliminary investigation and determined there is sufficient evidence to support reasonable suspicion that the Indiana Civil Rights Law has been violated. The Indiana Civil Rights Law provides remedies, including compensatory damages and injunctive relief, such as changes in the employer’s policies and training.”
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Veteran journalist and Northwest Indiana native Steve Walsh addresses the most important local issues facing the Region during a daily…
Michel Martin addresses multicultural life in America on NPR's Tell Me More...Regionally Speaking now airs at 1pm.
Ever dream of being a television sportscaster? Well, here is your chance! Lakeshore Public Media and Strack & Van Til are offering one lucky viewer the chance to host one sports segment on Lakeshore News Tonight's 10:00 p.m. broadcast in July. Record a 3 minute mock sports segment and send it to bejoecontest@lakeshorepublicmedia.org by 12:00 p.m. on June 14. We will announce 5 finalists and post the videos to our Facebook page for the public to "like." All videos submitted become property of Lakeshore Public Media. Final decision of the winning video will be at the sole discretion of Lakeshore Public Media. The winner will be announced July 1. For more information, visit http://lakeshorepublicmedia.org/bejoecontest/.
Lakeshore Public Television is proud to support Family Health and Cancer Awareness Day. Run, walk, bike, paddle for family health and beat cancer. This is a day long event begins at Chesterton Park, corner of Morgan and 5th Streets in Chesterton, and ends before the entrance to the Indiana Dunes State Park. Once at the beach, there will be live music, magic, face painting, and all sorts of fun activities. Register today at www.lakeshore12-20.org.