The Minnesota Department of Human Rights announced Thursday it has settled two separate cases involving what it describes as "blatant workplace sex discrimination" that violates the state's civil rights law.

The first case involves Lakes Concrete Plus, a concrete supplier in Bemidji. The state says its investigation found the company violated the Minnesota Human Rights Act when it fired a concrete truck driver based on her gender.

As she was fired, the woman was allegedly told that driving a concrete truck was not "women’s work" and that she should find a job that was "more fitting," according to a department statement.

Lakes Concrete Plus will pay the former employee $45,000 for lost wages and implement changes to create a workplace free from discrimination, per a settlement agreement.

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