Category: BLOG
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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What Can You Do to Strengthen Your False Claims Act Case?
If you suspect that your employer or some other entity is committing fraud against the government, here are some things you can do to increase your chances of bringing a successful False Claims Act case. 1. Act quickly Quick action serves the important purpose of stopping the fraud and the harm it is causing. In …
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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.
What are the Goals and Rewards of Whistleblower Programs?
The news in recent years has had many stories about “whistleblowers”—what they reported, what caused them to blow the whistle, and what happened as a result. Perhaps you have seen some sort of misconduct on the part of an employer, a corporation, a competitor, or a health provider. And you wonder “Am I a whistleblower?” …
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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 …
Do I have to pool my tips?
In Minnesota, the answer is, “No, not if you don’t want to.” Your tips are your tips. For decades, it has been the law in Minnesota that an employer cannot require an employee to pool (i.e., share) their tips with other employees or the employer (including management).[1] In fact, an employer cannot play any role …
A Not-So-Dynamic Vision—The Documents Illuminate the Falsity
It is unusual for any plaintiff or relator to achieve a summary judgment ruling in its favor in any type of case. But in U.S. v. Dynamic Visions Inc., DBA Dynamic Visions Home Health Services, et al., — F.3d —, 2020 WL 4914069 (D.C. Cir. Aug. 21, 2020), the D.C. Circuit affirmed such a ruling …
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Reflections on National Whistleblower Appreciation Day
With Covid-19, we are in a new time and a new space for celebrating the role of whistleblowers in our communities, our nation and our world. We have often heard that whistleblowers are critical for preventing the waste, fraud and abuse that limit the effectiveness of government agencies and take money out of taxpayer’s pockets …
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The U.S. Supreme Court Makes It Easier for Religious Institutions to Violate Anti-Discrimination Laws
In a 7-2 decision announced on July 8, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court decided to exempt two religious elementary schools from lawsuits by former teachers claiming the schools had fired them for alleged discriminatory reasons. In doing so, the Supreme Court relied on the “ministerial exception,” which holds that the schools’ First Amendment right to …
MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE CONSIDERS PAID FAMILY & MEDICAL LEAVE (AGAIN)
With the 2020 elections fast-approaching, focus has again shifted to issues surrounding the availability of health care and medical leave. Unfortunately, but perhaps not surprisingly given the current political climate, we’re hearing a lot of talk, but not seeing a lot of action, which is particularly tragic given the fact that less than 15% of …
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