As the economy worsens, employers and government agencies may see more discrimination complaints. An official with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission briefed Rapid City government and business leaders Thursday on the procedures and requirements involved with discrimination complaints. Maria Flores, the Program Manager for the EEOC's Milwaukee Office, says the downturn in the economy has increased the nationwide number of discrimination complaints.

Maria Flores says, "I think it could be because; when individuals are concerned as to why they can't get a job, they may look to their own protected category. Is it my race? Is it my religion? Whatever it may be."  Flores spoke Thursday at the invitation of the Rapid City Human Relations commission at the City/School Administration building.

Al Van Zee