MN Drywall Company Fired Woman Who Reported Rape: State Of MN

ST. PAUL, MN — The Minnesota Department of Human Rights last week moved to join a lawsuit against Absolute Drywall, accusing the company of allowing an employee to sexually harass and rape a coworker, then firing her for reporting it.

"We are sending a clear reminder to all employers: you must provide a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment. When anyone is discriminated against or harassed, our state and our businesses are deprived of enormous potential," said Minnesota Department of Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero.

"Norma deserved to be treated with humanity. Instead, Absolute Drywall allowed sexual harassment and rape to go unchecked. Our Department will hold employers like Absolute Drywall accountable when they violate the law because employees in every industry, including the construction industry, must be able to live with dignity, free from discrimination."

Minnesota has one of the highest percentages of women in construction, yet sexual harassment remains widespread in the industry. A 2021 report from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research found that nearly one in four women in construction experience near-constant harassment on the job.

"The State’s decision to join my case against Absolute Drywall is an acknowledgment of not only my truth, but also the unacceptable reality that women like me, Latina women, too often face sexual harassment and assault in the construction industry," said Norma Izaguirre.

"I hope that by standing up for myself and speaking out, other women feel empowered to tell their stories and employers who are abusive to their workers are held accountable."

In January 2021, Norma Izaguirre began working as a drywall laborer for Absolute Drywall. From the start, a coworker repeatedly sexually harassed her, made unwanted advances, and assaulted her, state authorities said.

In May 2021, that coworker raped Izaguirre at a worksite in Eagan, according to authorities. Nearly four years later, in February 2025, he pleaded guilty to felony criminal sexual conduct in Dakota County.

Before his conviction, Izaguirre reported the harassment to Absolute Drywall five times, according to authorities. ,But instead of taking action, the company allowed the abuse to continue, investigators said.

Rather than addressing the harassment, Absolute Drywall fired Izaguirre for reporting it, according to authorities.

Izaguirre contacted the Department of Human Rights, which launched an investigation into Absolute Drywall. The Department of Human Rights’ investigation uncovered that Absolute Drywall fostered a workplace culture that allowed sexual harassment and rape, authorities said.

The company, for example, did not have any policies prohibiting sexual harassment or clear ways for employees to make sexual harassment complaints, according to investigators.

The Department of Human Rights concluded that Absolute Drywall violated the Minnesota Human Rights Act, which requires employers to prevent and stop sexual harassment and assault.

The lawsuit demands that Absolute Drywall make transformational changes and pay Izaguirre for damages.

The Department of Human Rights wants Absolute Drywall to have and enforce clear anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies and wants to ensure that Absolute Drywall’s employees, including employees who speak Spanish, know about the policies and can easily report sexual harassment, assault, and other forms of discrimination.