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Employment Law

UPS delivers $4.9 million for religious bias

01/03/2019
Package delivery giant UPS has agreed to settle a long-running religious discrimination suit filed by the EEOC that alleged the company’s grooming rules discriminated against applicants and employees who wear beards to conform with their religious beliefs.

Tell bosses: No comments about health costs

01/03/2019
Make sure supervisors understand that it is never appropriate to question how much an employee’s health problems might cost the organization.

Make lactation space a priority for 2019

01/03/2019
Are you starting 2019 without a proper space where nursing employees can pump breast milk? Chances are good that affected employees have noticed—and aren’t pleased that you’re ignoring a requirement that has been on the books for almost a decade.

Minneapolis mayor vows to fire racist tree decorators

01/02/2019
Two unnamed police officers in Minneapolis’ 4th Precinct have been suspended and may face termination after hanging “racist” ornaments on a police station Christmas tree.

Requesting accommodation after discipline is too late

01/02/2019
Under the Minnesota Human Rights Act, disabled employees are entitled to accommodations. But timing is everything if a worker is disciplined before revealing a disability that may have contributed to work problems.

Court: ACA requires plans to cover gender reassignment

01/02/2019
A recent decision by the federal court in charge of Minnesota cases has ruled that health plans that exclude gender reassignment coverage violate the Affordable Care Act.

8th Circuit refuses to entertain sweeping expansion of religious discrimination claims

01/02/2019
The EEOC has argued that merely requesting a religiously based reasonable accommodation is protected activity and that any adverse employment action that follows may be retaliation for making the request. But the 8th Circuit declined the invitation.

Travel reimbursements could be FLSA wages

01/02/2019
Under IRS rules, employers that provide a payment for travel expenses in lieu of requiring proof that workers incurred expenses don’t have to withhold taxes or contribute to and remit Social Security taxes based on the payment. But the Fair Labor Standards Act treats such payments differently.

Boss comments on pregnancy? Tell ‘em to zip it!

01/02/2019
When an employee announces that she’s pregnant, there is only one appropriate response: Congratulations! Any further comments usher in the risk of litigation.

Affair with subordinate leads fire chief to resign

01/02/2019
The longtime fire chief of Apple Valley, Minnesota, has resigned after admitting to a sexual relationship with a junior city employee in violation of city employment rules.