The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1960-10-29

The Commission is empowered
under the statute to prevent and
eliminate discrimination in every
phase Of employment based on
race, color. religion, nationality,
or ancestry. The Act covers all
employers of eight or more per-
sons; labor organizations; en-
plyoment agencies both public
and private; newspaper listings
for help wanted or situations
wanted: the State of Michigan
and its political subdivisions; and
contractors and sub-contractors
for the State.
The Commission receives and
investigates complaints of alleged
discriminatory employment. prac-
tices. When the field invest "a
ton of a complaint reveals that
employment discrimination has
occurred, the Commission endca-
vors to eliminate the discrimina-
tory practice through conference
and Cancellation. The Michigan
FEP Act is an administrative,
not criminal statute.
Reliance is placed first on cdu-
cational, conference, and per
suasion techniqucs. II owe yer,
where discrimination is found
to exist and conference and con
citation fail to achieve the ne
cessary correction. the Commits
sion is empowered to hold public
hearings. take testimony under
oath. compel the appearance of
witnesses and production of per
tinent records, make formal find
ings, issue cease and desist or
ders, and require reports, on
the manner OF compliance.
The Commissions orders are
enforceable through the Circuit
Court of the county wherein the
unfair employment practice oc-
Cured or where the Respondent
concern against whom a claim (
has been fled resides or trans
acts It's business Both the claim /
anti complaining parity and the
Respondent may appeal a final
order of the Commission to the
Circuit Court. When the Com
mission finds no evidence to sup
port the allegations of discrimina-
tory employment practices, the
case is dismissed with written
notice TO both parties.
Complaint may be filed only by
an individual claiming TO be az
erieved under the provisions Of
the Act. A complaint must be
filed within ninety days OF the
date OF the alleged discriminatory
act.
During its five years of opera
ton. the Commission has received
and proccssed more than 100
complaints. Forty-six percent of
all complaint received by the
Commission have been dismissed,
either for lack of probable cause
or lack of jurisdiction The Com
mission takes pride in the fact
that the remaining fiftyfour per
cent of the claims have been
satisfactorily adjusted through
conference and Cancellation. Only
six cases have gone to public
hearing.
The Commission also has leg
islativc mandate TO pursue the
essential aims of the law through
a program Of education and com
munity services. The structure
of this regulatory body consists
of three major divisions: Claims,
Education and community Scr
vices; Research, and Special Ser
vices. The Education and Com
munity Services program is gear
cd to achieving the goals of
fair employment practices through
public understanding and accept
ancc of the provisions and pur
poses of the law. The Research
Division engages in comprc-
hcnsive and continuing program
of gathering and analyzing the
kinds of data that is needed by
the Commission, industry, labor,
and civic leadership in meeting
practical problems in employ
mcnt.
Advisory Employment Councils
have been established by the Com