Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation

The Sunshine State of Florida is home to over 18.3 million people, according to a 2008 census estimate. Florida’s climate, ecology, and demographic constitution make it one of the most unique states in the union as far as business law is concerned. Florida’s population is incredibly diverse. The northern “Panhandle” demographically aligns with the southern states of Georgia and Alabama. The city of Miami, in bright contrast, is home to flourishing Hispanic communities and a sizable Cuban American population. Boca Raton, Palm Beach, and Fort Lauderdale are home to a large number of retirees. Fort Lauderdale supports a thriving gay community.

Florida’s economy runs on many cylinders. Tourism is a major driver – Walt Disney World, America’s most famous amusement complex, is the dominant economic force in Orlando. Florida also has a thriving maritime industry and supports agriculture and farming – in particular, Florida’s citrus industry is enormously powerful.

The state’s employment antidiscrimination body is the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation, which operates under the auspices of the State’s Office for Civil Rights. This agency is responsible for developing workforce policy, guiding initiatives, investigating abuses of the law and discrimination complaints, overseeing unemployment compensation, and ensuring equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in the workplace. Florida’s workforce boards - which are designed to help develop and carry out equal opportunity policies – operate out of 90 discrete locations across the state.

Over the past decade, Florida has served as a lightning rode for legal battles that have captured the attention of the nation, such as Gore v. Bush (2000) as well as legal battles over terminally ill patient Terry Schiavo and Cuban émigré, Elian Gonzalez. In recent years, noises have been made about unfair treatment endured by migrant workers in some of Florida’s citrus groves.

If you or a family member has a discrimination, harassment, or wage and hour violation complaint, the trusted counsel at Joseph, Herzfeld, Hester & Kirschenbaummay be able to provide guidance.