As we near the end of President Biden’s first 100 days in office, there have already been a number of policy changes that impact employees, including the extension of unemployment benefits under the recent $1.9 trillion stimulus package and the proposed withdrawal of the previous administration’s rule broadening the definition of independent contractors under the Fair Labor Standards Act. In the coming months and years, expect to see more changes … [Read more...]
Why Can Discrimination Make Job-Hunting In Minnesota Difficult?
Discrimination in the hiring process is illegal in Minnesota. Under the Minnesota Human Rights Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prospective employers cannot discriminate against an applicant because of his or her race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, or age. Nonetheless, discrimination can and does still … [Read more...]
What to do if You’re Experiencing Workplace Bullying, Harassment, or Discrimination?
Bullying and harassment in the workplace are issues for a significant number of employees, with surveys revealing incidence rates between 9.4% and 28% for U.S. workers. Bullying may occur between co-workers or between a manager and a subordinate. Bullying may include repetitive and frequent harassing behavior such as derogatory remarks, verbal or physical threats, humiliating or demeaning insults, intimidation tactics, inappropriate jokes at … [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...]
Proving Promotion and Hiring Discrimination
Discrimination litigation typically involves challenges to termination decisions, harassment/hostile work environments, or compensation decisions. There are far fewer reported cases alleging discrimination in promotion or hiring decisions. That’s not because bias less frequently infects promotion and hiring decisions. Rather, it’s because courts have erected hurdles to successfully proving discrimination in these cases. It’s also because … [Read more...]
