Watch the interview video → Larry Schaefer: We are here for the purpose of celebrating Jean Boler's retirement. It's both a joyous and a sad occasion. I've had the great privilege of working with Jean for many years. We've worked together both in our prior positions at Sprenger & Lang and now at Schaefer Halleen. So Jean, we wanted to just ask some basic questions of you as you're approaching this wonderful milestone and just talk to you … [Read more...]
Is It Legal to Record a Conversation with My Employer?
Conversations in today’s workplace can be easily and discreetly recorded. However, is it legal to record a conversation with your employer without his or her knowledge? The answer depends on your state’s laws and whether your employer has a policy that bans employees from recording conversations. One-Party Consent States Most states are “one-party consent” states, which means that recordings are permitted as long as just one party to the … [Read more...]
Groundbreaking Supreme Court Decision Protects LGBTQ Employees from Discrimination
In a groundbreaking decision, the Supreme Court ruled that there is now nationwide protection for LGBTQ employees under federal law. Importantly, individuals living in states without statewide LGBTQ protections, including South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Missouri, are now protected against discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII covers any … [Read more...]
Employees are Protected from Sexual Harassment – Even When Working from Home
As Minnesotans continue to work from home, it is important to remember that employees are still protected by the same sexual harassment laws regardless of where they perform their work. Whether an employee works in an office or at home, travels for business, or engages with others from work socially outside of the office, most of the same sexual harassment protections apply. In other words, just because an employee is away from the office does … [Read more...]
What Protection is There for Employees Reluctant to Return to Work During the Pandemic?
COVID 19 is still very much with us, but like the rest of the country, Minnesota has decided the risk has subsided enough for the economy to pretty much reopen. Many employees will happily, albeit cautiously, go back to work. Some people, however, may want to stay away, and they worry whether they’ll lose their jobs if they do, and whether they can still receive unemployment insurance benefits. Federal Emergency Legislation Provides Limited … [Read more...]
