August Training: MT Human Rights Updates & Trends

The Employment Standards Division (ESD) offers a wide range of services and regulations pertaining to the employer-employee relationship. Workers' compensation coverage and claims, human rights claims, workplace safety and health, wage and hour claims, prevailing wage claims, and public sector collective bargaining are all covered by ESD.  ESD provides employers with education and technical assistance in understanding and complying with state labor laws. The division works with both employers and employees to address employment-related complaints through informal investigations and mediation.

The Montana Human Rights Bureau is charged with enforcing certain state and federal laws that prohibit unlawful discrimination. When a person files a complaint with the Department of Labor & Industry's Human Rights Bureau, the Bureau will informally investigate. The Bureau is committed to providing quality education and training opportunities to employers, employees, housing providers, tenants, and all Montana residents.

April LaBrecque  [la-brek] biography:

• Working as an Investigator for the Montana Human Rights Bureau since September 2022. 
• Certified mediator with the Bureau since May 2023. 
• Began working in Investigations in 2010.
• Previously worked as a police officer, District Attorney investigative assistant, and criminal public defense investigator.
• Received her Bachelors degrees from University of Washington through their Double Degree program: Anthropology and “Law, Societies & Justice”, with concentrations and minors in Political Science and Sociology.
• Officer in the United States Marine Corps Reserves, joined 2014 & currently at the rank of Major.  Occupational specialties in Administration and Artillery.
• Currently pursuing her Masters Degree at the University of Montana in Public Administration.