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.

Could a Minnesota Employer Fire Pool Patrol Paula or I.D. Adam?

Dennis J. Merley

In recent months a number of incidents have surfaced where neighbors or passers-by have called police to report African Americans engaging in seemingly ordinary pursuits. Examples include calls to investigate…

When Employees Walk Off the Job, Can They Walk Back On?

Dennis J. Merley

Minnesota Orchestra principal trumpeter Manny Laureano made headlines recently when he walked off the stage during a performance by guest artist Rufus Wainwright, whom Laureano felt had gone too far…

Minnesota Tip Sharing Decision Sets the Table For More Wrongful Discharge Claims

Brandon J. Wheeler

A divided Minnesota Supreme Court just ruled that a restaurant worker who was fired for refusing to share tips with his co-workers can sue for wrongful discharge even though the…

Don’t Let the Solar Eclipse Block Out Good Sense

Dennis J. Merley

With the total eclipse of the sun upon us, here are a few burning questions to consider: What if Employees Leave Without Permission? Undoubtedly you have already had some employees call…

So, Your Employee Was In Charlottesville Last Weekend

Penelope J. Phillips

While some employees went fishing over the weekend or did chores around the house, a few apparently travelled to Charlottesville, VA to participate in the “Unite the Right” demonstration that…

Politics Matter in Political Employment

Sara Gullickson McGrane

“Hell hath no fury like a bureaucrat scorned.” Economist Milton Friedman. The Federal Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by the former Chief…

Minnesota Court Confirms that Handbook Disclaimer Trumps Contract Claim

Dennis J. Merley

In Barker v. County of Lyon, — N.W.2d —-, 2012 WL 1570133 (Minn. Ct. App. May 7, 2012), the Minnesota Court of Appeals recently held that it is unreasonable as…

Employees Fired for Accessing Patient Data Won’t Get Unemployment Benefits

Dennis J. Merley

Last week, three employees at Tucson’s University Medical Center were fired for accessing the confidential patient medical records of the victims of the high-profile shooting that included Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. …

Lessons in Purple: Employment Law Advice from the Minnesota Vikings

Dennis J. Merley

Employees generally don’t become “problem employees” overnight. Typically, employers have some indication that the employee is going to be a “problem” from the beginning. As a famous Minnesota employer recently demonstrated,…