While almost all states provide some sort of protection for workers belonging to a protected class (whether age, sex, race, disability, or other characteristic), the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA) offers some of the strongest protections for workers in the country. The MHRA is one of the key tools that the employment attorneys at Schaefer Halleen have to hold employers accountable—and it just got stronger. On May 15, 2024, … [Read more...]
How has the #MeToo movement impacted the workplace?
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...]
Digital Dangers: The Intersection of Technology and Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Sexual harassment is defined as any unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature, which includes unwanted advances, comments, and physical contact. With the advancement of technology and social media, sexual harassment can occur in new and more insidious ways, making it a serious problem for many workplaces. Blurring of boundaries: technology's effect on personal and professional communication One way in which technology and social media have impacted … [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...]
What to Do When Your Boss Sexually Harasses You
There are few workplace experiences more terrifying than when a boss abuses power and subjects a subordinate employee to sexual harassment. This power imbalance can make the employee feel like he or she has to tolerate the harassment, or worse, give in to these advances in order to keep the job or advance at the company. Thankfully, the law governing sexual harassment provides significant rights and legal protections in this scenario, and the … [Read more...]
