A Brainerd manufacturer of ice fishing shelters will pay $115,000 to resolve allegations that it discriminated against a worker battling cancer. The settlement follows a state investigation that found Glacier Ice House, operated by Timberland, denied the employee equal access to internal job transfers during companywide layoffs.
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights launched its inquiry after the employee took disability leave in 2023 for cancer treatment. As the company shed jobs across its workforce, the investigation revealed, other employees received opportunities to shift into different roles. The worker with cancer did not.
Company leaders explicitly cited the employee’s medical condition when explaining the decision, according to the department’s findings. That distinction triggered the settlement and a formal rebuke from Minnesota’s top civil rights official.
“No Minnesotan should have to choose between fighting cancer and fighting for their job,” said Rebecca Lucero, state human rights commissioner.
Beyond the financial payout, Glacier agreed to overhaul its disability policies and bolster training for managers and staff. The human rights department will monitor the company’s compliance for three years.
Glacier did not immediately respond to a request for comment left with company president Jason Jaeckels. The settlement resolves the claim without admission of wrongdoing.
