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Archive for category: BLOG

Did You Know? Minnesota Law Protects Parents Who Take Time Off Work to Attend Their Child’s School Activities

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We often write about the more common protections for employees in Minnesota, such as protections against discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation for reporting law violations (i.e. whistle blowers), and protections for employees who take medical leave. But, did you know that Minnesota also provides lesser-known protections to employees? For example, Minnesota law allows employees to take up to 16 hours of time off work to attend their child’s school conferences and activities each year and for each child.

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5 Things to Do After Getting Fired

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You’ve just been fired, or you suspect you’re about to be fired. And you think that your termination may be for an illegal reason (e.g., discrimination, retaliation, blowing the whistle). Now what?

1. Do Not Quit / Do Not Sign Anything. Most workers who suspect termination is imminent often believe it is better to quit than be fired. But depending on the circumstances, that might not be true. Voluntarily leaving your position before your employer takes any adverse employment action against you (e.g., a termination), could weaken your ability to make an employment claim. Often it is wiser to continue to do your job well, which means that your employer will have to terminate you to make you leave. However, there could be extenuating circumstances that would warrant a different decision. If you are tempted to quit your job, it would be wise to contact an employment attorney before quitting to discuss your particular situation and your options.

At your termination meeting, your employer may present you with a document called a separation or severance agreement, potentially with an offer of some amount of money. Again, the wise thing to do is to consult with an attorney before signing anything. If you signed this document already and are having second thoughts, you should immediately contact an employment attorney to review the agreement on your behalf. If you act quickly enough, you may be able to rescind your agreement.

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20 Common Ways Employers Violate Employee Rights

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Although Minnesota is an “employment at-will” state—meaning the employer may terminate an employee at any time for any reason—there are, in fact, exceptions to the rule. Since 1967 the Minnesota Human Rights Act has served as the State’s comprehensive employment rights law and provides a wide range of protections for employees. Yet even with the law in place, employers continue to violate employees’ rights in countless ways. Here are 20 of the most common violations for which an employee may seek monetary relief under the Minnesota Human Rights Act:

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What Happens to an FCA Whistleblower’s Reward If the Government Files Criminal Charges against the Defendant?

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As a whistleblower, or “relator,” under the False Claims Act (FCA), you have filed a complaint against a company that defrauded the federal government. The government investigated your allegations and indicted the defendant company on federal criminal charges. At sentencing, the government seeks restitution of the amount it lost due to the defendant company’s fraud. Can you receive a whistleblower reward from the restitution paid in the criminal case?

The short answer is maybe, but probably not in the context of the criminal action itself. Continuing a trend favorable to whistleblowers, a recent court decision may help you receive an award from the restitution paid in the criminal action if your whistleblower case under the FCA is successful.
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Whistleblowers in the Intelligence Community

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There are many different statutes that provide protections to whistleblowers, and in some instances, also provide specific procedures to follow. That is the case with the federal whistleblower in the news these days. That whistleblower works in the Intelligence Community where blowing the whistle may involve classified information. The intelligence community defines whistleblowing as “the act of reporting waste, fraud, abuse and corruption in a lawful manner to those who can correct the wrongdoing.” For more information about the Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protection Act, download the Congressional Research Service report on “Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protections.”

Know Your Rights: Sexual harassment claims are not limited to interactions that take place at the office

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Sexual harassment or sexual assault can be actionable if it occurs on business travel or at work-related events.  In fact, over half of the sexual assault cases we have handled involved assaults that occurred outside of the office and outside of work hours.  If the harassment or assault can be shown to be related to the employment relationship and the incident is sufficiently severe or repetitive, you may have an actionable claim against your employer.

Minnesota law prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of sex, including sexual harassment.  Sexual harassment “includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, sexually motivated physical contact or other verbal or physical conduct or communication of a sexual nature when . . . that conduct or communication has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s employment . . . or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive employment . . . environment.” Minn. Stat. § 363A.03, subd. 43(2).

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What Are My Rights as an Older Employee Who Has Recently Been Laid Off From My Job?

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We hear all too often from clients…

“I just got laid off, and my employer wants me to sign a severance agreement. They gave me a big chart with a list of people’s positions and ages on it. I’m confused, and I’m not sure what to do next.”

If you are an older worker (defined as age 40 or older), stop right there! You likely have a lot of questions in your head right now. We’re here to help you find some answers.

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Celebrating National Whistleblower Appreciation Day

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On this National Whistleblower Day, Halunen Law recognizes the tremendous contribution that whistleblowers make to our everyday lives— protecting our health, safety, and taxes. These contributions have been happening since the earliest days of the United States.  The Founding Fathers unanimously supported whistleblowers in both words and deeds, including providing government records and monetary assistance to prevent retaliation against whistleblowers. [1] It is a privilege for us to carry on with that support and work with whistleblowers as they make companies accountable for their wrongdoing. Every whistleblower we honor today makes a difference. Thank you.

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Are You at Risk for Sexual Harassment or Sexual Assault at Your Job?

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The #MeToo movement has shined light on sexual harassment and sexual assault in the workplace and work-related events. However, there is still a value in increasing knowledge, training, and education when it comes to sexual harassment and sexual assault in the workplace.

In light of this, it’s vital that employees take the time to understand what sexual harassment and sexual assault are in the workplace, and how certain employment situations may make them more vulnerable than others. As an employee, it is important to know that such misconduct can happen to anyone, and if it happens to you, you are not alone – we are here to help.

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