The “Me Too Movement” began in 2006 with Tarana Burke, who created the program to empower young women of color from marginalized communities who have been sexually abused, assaulted, or exploited. The movement went viral when Alyssa Milano tweeted “#MeToo” on October 15, 2017, subsequently sparking interest in the discourse surrounding the prevalence of sexual harassment and abuse in our culture. One social sphere that took extra notice to the … [Read more...]
Signs of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
When I talk with friends and family about the work accomplished by Schaefer Halleen, so many people say to me, “But sexual harassment in the workplace can’t still be a thing, right? Don’t people know better by now?” Unfortunately, despite the surge in awareness prompted by the MeToo Movement, as well as various portrayals in film and television, sexual harassment in the workplace is still very much “a thing.” In fact, many of our clients come to … [Read more...]
Are you part of a mass layoff? Know your rights and your employer’s duty to WARN.
For employees who have been recently terminated as part of a mass layoff, they may feel as though their best options are to cut ties and move on from their former employer. Even where there may be dozens of former colleagues who are in the same boat, employees must remember that they still have rights when it comes to losing their position as part of a large scale layoff. The WARN Act The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) … [Read more...]
Updates to Minnesota Senate Sexual Harassment Policies
As more entities recognize the necessity of protecting victims of sexual harassment, it is crucial that the policies designed to protect individuals from sexual harassment are accessible to all individuals and provide a supportive means to address sexual harassment. This necessity is especially applicable to government bodies who are often leading examples of how to address potential legal violations and ensure that the law is upheld while … [Read more...]
Should you sign a severance agreement? Ask an attorney, not the internet!
When losing your job, immediately signing a severance agreement may feel like a good idea. The dreaded moment has arrived: you find yourself sitting across the table from your Human Resources manager, and they have just informed you that you no longer have a job. You feel sick to your stomach as questions race through your mind: “Are my savings ready for unemployment? How am I going to get health insurance? Why is this happening to me?” As … [Read more...]
