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Minnesota

Get expert legal help when drafting retirement offers that include health benefits

04/16/2018
A federal court has granted a temporary injunction in a case involving continued health insurance coverage. The court concluded that a group of retired workers would likely succeed on the merits of their case.

Make sure employees follow all the rules when requesting FMLA leave

04/16/2018
The first in-person treatment with a health care professional must take place within seven days of the initial illness or injury that rendered the worker incapable of performing his job. Otherwise, the regulations assume the condition isn’t a serious health condition. Thus, the worker would not be entitled to FMLA leave.

No anonymous employment lawsuits allowed

04/16/2018
Sometimes, filing a lawsuit and airing dirty laundry in a public forum can be embarrassing and uncomfortable for an employee. That doesn’t give her the right to bring the case using a pseudonym, a federal court has ruled.

Former Duluth, Minn. hockey coach awarded $3.7 million for bias

04/16/2018
A federal jury hearing a discrimination lawsuit filed against the University of Minnesota Duluth has awarded $3.7 million to Shannon Miller, the university’s former women’s hockey coach.

Off-the-clock allegations? Find the checkbook

04/12/2018
If you discover you have made a wage-and-hour mistake, the safest approach is often to make it right as soon as possible. If you dispute an employee’s wage claim, you may wind up paying far more in legal fees than you would have if you had simply paid the money the worker claims you owe.

Broke quitting-time rules? No unemployment for you!

03/20/2018
Be sure employees know your rules for leaving work early. That way, an employee who violates the rules will have committed willful misconduct, disqualifying him from receiving unemployment compensation benefits.

Take care when responding to union résumé

03/20/2018

Here’s a warning about turning down an applicant who lists union memberships or otherwise indicated union support on his employment application. Refusing to interview him or turning him down for a job he is qualified to do may backfire.

Keep complete records of complaints to counter last-minute legal claims

03/20/2018

Here’s some good news from the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals: The court, which covers Minnesota employers, turned down a petition to allow an employee to introduce a new discrimination claim that he failed to clearly outline in his original lawsuit.

Post internal openings, ensure staff know how to apply for promotions

03/20/2018
Smart employers make it easy for employees to apply for promotions and make their promotion policies clear. They don’t rely on word-of-mouth or a buddy system to hand out promotions to favorites.

Sexual orientation bias and Title VII in flux

03/20/2018

Despite a changed EEOC position and several victories in other federal circuit courts of appeal, employees alleging sexual orientation discrimination in Minnesota workplaces cannot bring that claim under Title VII. Sexual orientation is not a protected classification under Title VII.