Opinion ID: 1822302
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The WFEA

Text: [10] ¶ 20. The WFEA, Wis. Stat. §§ 111.31-111.395, was enacted in 1945 and is aimed at assuring equal employment opportunities for all persons by eliminating certain discriminatory practices. Byers, 208 Wis. 2d at 396-97. The WFEA's declaration of policy states that [i]t is the intent of the legislature to protect by law the rights of all individuals to obtain gainful employment and to enjoy privileges free from employment discrimination. Wis. Stat. § 111.31(2). Prohibited bases of discrimination include, inter alia, age, race, creed, color, disability, marital status, sex, national origin and, as is pertinent here, conviction record. Wis. Stat. § 111.321. [11] ¶ 21. The WFEA provides that the DWD is the agency of state government authorized to administer the WFEA. Wis. Stat. § 111.375. The complaint and investigation procedure is set forth in Wis. Stat. § 111.39, and findings and orders emanating from a WFEA complaint are subject to judicial review under Chapter 227. Wis. Stat. § 111.395. The purpose of the WFEA is to deter and to remedy discriminatory conduct of employers which infringes employes' civil rights. Byers, 208 Wis. 2d at 398.