Testimony was heard Monday on legislation that would redefine what constitutes workplace discrimination in Missouri.
If passed, workplace discrimination would have to be a motivating factor, not just a contributing one, in any wrongful action taken against a worker by an employer, which is the current federal standard.
Jonathan Burns with the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys testified against the bill.
“It dramatically restricts the protections for people who’ve been discriminated against, or fired for reporting illegal conduct that their company has engaged in,” Burns said. “This law will make it much easier for employers to discriminate.”
Attorney Rich AuBuchon spoke in favor of the bill on behalf of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce. He says the state’s current definition of discrimination is hurting Missouri’s economy.
“Companies are choosing to locate in other states, and I’m not gonna tell you that this is the only reason, but certainly it is a factor when companies look at the cost of their business in the state of Missouri,” AuBuchon said.
Governor Jay Nixon vetoed similar bills last year and in 2011.
