MINNESOTA

EMPLOYMENT LAW

REPORT

The Minnesota Employment Law Report is our award – winning blog offering expert insight to the business community concerning employee relations, labor law, employee benefits, employment litigation and much more.

Minnesota House Passes Recreational Marijuana Bill

Grant T. Collins

Yesterday, the Minnesota House passed a bill, HF100, that would legalize recreational marijuana in Minnesota. The bill still needs to pass the senate and be signed by the Governor before…

Minnesota Supreme Court Affirms Validity of Minneapolis Sick Leave Ordinance

Grant T. Collins

The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled this week that the Minneapolis Sick and Safe Time (SST) Ordinance is not preempted by state law. This should end the extensive litigation that has been…

Salary History Bans Are Sweeping the Country

Dennis J. Merley

It was not long ago that virtually every employment application in use asked applicants to state their current (or last) salary. Now, that same inquiry is illegal in eighteen states,…

Fines Raised for Benefits, OSHA, Wage and I-9 Issues

Dennis J. Merley

The Department of Labor (DOL) issued an interim final rule increasing civil penalties under all the laws it enforces. The increases are authorized by the Federal Civil Monetary Penalties Inflation…

Wisconsin Establishes Restrictions on Employer Access to Employee Social Media Accounts

Dennis J. Merley

Wisconsin has joined twelve other states in adopting restrictions on an employer’s ability to access the social media accounts of job applicants and employees. Specifically, Wisconsin Act 208 prohibits employers…

Nine Employment-Related Bills We’re Watching at the MN Legislature

Grant T. Collins

With the 2014 Minnesota legislative session heating up, the legislative wheat is beginning to separate from the chaff. In addition to the minimum wage legislation, there are nine employment-related bills…

MN Legislature Expands Whistleblower Protections

Grant T. Collins

The Minnesota Legislature recently amended the Minnesota Whistleblower Act to make it easier for employees to file these claims against their employers. The amendments broadly define the terms “good faith,”…

Minnesota Employers Must Take Action in Response to "Ban the Box" Legislation

Richard R. Voelbel

On May 13, 2013, Governor Dayton signed the “Ban the Box” bill into law. Effective January 1, 2014, private employers must “Ban the Box” inquiring about criminal history on a…

Government Proposes Huge Changes For Federal Contractors and Disabled Individuals

Ryan A. Olson

On Friday December 9, 2011, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (“OFCCP”) published Proposed Regulations that may dramatically change federal contractors’ and subcontractors’ obligations regarding…