Category: EMPLOYMENT
COVID-19 – IS WORKING FROM HOME A “REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION” UNDER THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT?
For the better part of the last 15 months, employees across the country have been required to work remotely as the world has struggled with the effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Now, though, restrictions are starting to lift, and employers are beginning to ask, or, in some instances, insist, that their workers come back …
What is Marital Status Discrimination?
Were you fired from marital status discrimination, because of your spouse or something that your spouse did? Or, were you discriminated against at work because you are single, married, or divorced? Under Minnesota law, it is illegal for an employer to refuse to hire, terminate an employee, or discriminate against an employee based on their …
May is Mental Health Month – Be Aware of Your Protections
May is Mental Health Month – a time to promote and unite our efforts around mental health awareness. Millions of people in the U.S. are affected by mental illness each year. In fact, 1 in 5 adults will experience some form of mental illness during their lifetime.[1] Those numbers are destined to increase as the …
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State and Federal Authorities Denounce Racism Amid Increasing Attacks Against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
Since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, racist and xenophobic attacks against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community have been on the rise. A study analyzing police department statistics across 16 major U.S. cities found anti-Asian hate crimes increased by 150% in 2020, while overall hate crimes fell by 7%. Only weeks ago, …
Legislation to Prohibit Arbitration Clauses from Denying Employees Their Day in Court
Forced arbitration is a powerful tool used by employers to limit employees from suing them in court. Under the Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”), employers have wide latitude to force employees into mandatory arbitration. Arbitration is a binding process that is conducted by a private judge (arbitrator), instead of a public trial. Arbitration can have many …
The Equality Act – LGBTQ Discrimation Laws
Does federal law protect LGBT individuals? In a groundbreaking decision, the United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of three employee plaintiffs—two gay men and one transgender woman—in Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia (which was consolidated with Altitude Express, Inc. v. Zarda and G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes v. EEOC). ‘The Court held that …
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How Can I Protect Myself as a Pregnant Worker During the COVID-19 Pandemic?
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, pregnant women face new challenges—changes to in-person doctor visits, baby shower cancellations due to social-distancing, and rigid guidelines for keeping themselves and their newborns safe after birth. These changes have brought anxiety, disappointment, and sadness for many new mothers. Moreover, the crisis may add an additional layer of …
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What Are My Rights as a Parent During the COVID-19 Pandemic?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many working parents have been placed between a rock and a hard place. With many day cares and schools closed to in-person learning, parents who work are scrambling to find ways to make sure their children are learning and being cared for at home, while still doing their job. Unfortunately, …
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How to Deal With Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
During my career as an employment law attorney, I have had the unique privilege of representing many employees who have been sexually assaulted during the course of their employment by a co-worker or supervisor. It makes my heart heavy to know there are so many people out there who have gone through such an experience.
If I Can Work From Home, Can My Employer Force Me to Return to Work Under the Governor’s Executive Order?
The COVID-19 pandemic is far from over, yet Minnesota businesses are slowing reopening around the state, and employees are being asked to return to their offices. This has created growing tensions, as employers want to ensure their businesses remain viable, while employees still fear the disease. Many employees are left in an uncomfortable predicament—caught between …