Category: BLOG
Minnesota’s Revived Law on Reasonable Accommodations
Individuals with disabilities are afforded considerable legal protection against workplace discrimination under both state and federal law. The Minnesota Human Rights Act (“MHRA”) is our state law that prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation based on protected characteristics in Minnesota. In the context of individuals with disabilities, the MHRA provides that, except when based on a …
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DOJ Highlights Importance of Whistleblowers and False Claims Act to Deter Cyber Fraud
In 1865, it was whistleblowers who were critical in reporting fraud by those who provided the U.S. War Department with rusty rifles, boats that leaked, and hats that melted in the rain. Today, whistleblowers are now critical to protecting the United States in the digital space. No longer on the battlefield of the Civil War, …
Reflection on National Whistleblower Day 2021
Why do we honor whistleblowers today? We honor whistleblowers because we rely on them to expose corporate wrongdoing. Whether insider employees, consumers or patients – whistleblowers see illegal conduct and do something about it. We honor whistleblowers because they model integrity and courage. Whistleblowers take a stand knowing that blowing the whistle is risky business …
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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 …
Can the False Claims Act Protect Former Employees?
A recent decision out the 6th Circuit reinforces that former employees are protected from retaliation under the False Claims Act – even when the retaliatory conduct happens after they are fired or leave the company. In the lawsuit, an employee alleged he was “marginalized” for insisting on compliance with the law during his employment and …
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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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New Treasury Secretary applauds role of IRS whistleblowers
Newly confirmed Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen told the Senate Finance Committee that she was committed to respecting and protecting whistleblowers as “an important asset to the integrity of the agency and tax system more generally.” Read her written response to a question about the role of whistleblowers and a recent downturn in IRS whistleblower …
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Stats Show Whistleblowers Are Key Partners in the Fight Against the Many Faces of Fraud
The Department of Justice’s 2020 data is here, and it paints another compelling picture of the value brought by whistleblowers who file cases under the False Claims Act (FCA). In 2020, claims filed by whistleblowers were responsible for about 75% of new cases filed and about 75% of government fraud proceeds. And rewards made to …
What Should You Know Before Becoming a Whistleblower?
Here are some things you should know before stepping forward as a whistleblower. 1. Whistleblowing can be a challenging and lengthy process Whistleblower cases often take years, and the consequences of blowing the whistle can upend your life and that of your family. Your integrity can be attacked, your reputation can be smeared, your livelihood …
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