Enforcement Agencies The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is an agency responsible for enforcing federal laws that prohibit employers from discriminating against job applicants and employees because of a person’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. All of the laws enforced by EEOC, except for the Equal Pay Act, … [Read more...]
8 Frequently Asked Questions About Disability Discrimination in the Workplace
What is disability discrimination? The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA) prohibit employers from discriminating against qualified individuals on the basis of disability in all employment practices, including job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. Do I have a disability? Under the ADA, an "individual … [Read more...]
Are You an Employee or Independent Contractor? Does It Matter?
Misclassified employees are often denied benefits and protections they are entitled to by law. Employers that mistakenly or deliberately misclassify workers to reduce costs and avoid the burden of certain employment laws can be liable for all back taxes plus any applicable penalties and interest. Employee or Independent Contractor? An independent contractor is someone who generally works independently and controls when and how they work. Under … [Read more...]
Top 10 Myths Employers Should Know About Workplace Rights in MN
Navigating the various federal, state, and local laws and ordinances that control numerous aspects of the employer-employee relations can be intimidating and complex. For many employees, knowledge of employment laws may come from popular news sources, employee handbooks, and break-room posters that simply recite statutes. Here, we summarize the most common misconceived employment laws. MYTH 1: “At-will” employees can be terminated for any … [Read more...]