In Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), a neutral third party, often referred to as a mediator or arbitrator, plays a critical role in facilitating communication, negotiation and resolution between disputing parties. Unlike a judge, a neutral does not make decisions...
Business & Employment
Best Practices for Avoiding Employee Misclassification
Employee misclassification can have serious legal and financial repercussions for businesses. Therefore, every employer needs to ensure they are following best practices in recognizing the classification of their employees. Employers can avoid costly penalties and...
Proposed Laws Impacting Minnesota Employers
Proposed Laws Impacting Minnesota Employers Federal Trade Commission’s Proposed Rule to Ban Non-Compete Clauses On January 5, 2023, the FTC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to prohibit employers from entering non-compete clauses with employees. This proposed...
What Kinds of Religious Accommodations Must I Offer My Employees?
Federal anti-discrimination laws require employers to offer certain accommodations to employees– such as employees with disabilities. This accommodation requirement also extends to an employee’s sincerely held religious beliefs. It may not be clear, however, exactly...
What do you know about offering severance pay?
There may come a time when you must lay off some of your employees. If that happens, do you know what to consider for their severance packages? Points to ponder There is no law in Minnesota requiring that employers pay terminating or resigning employees a severance....
Trump Signs Stimulus Bill: ‘Paycheck Protection Program Second Draw’ Provides Relief for Small Businesses
President Trump signed a $900 billion stimulus package that will prevent the looming government shutdown, extend a moratorium on evictions, and provide new life to the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) created in March of 2020. This relief comes just in time for...
Religious Freedom and Civil Rights: the Supreme Court Expands Application of the Ministerial Exception
Our laws seek to recognize and respect both religious freedom and civil rights. However, these two important legal traditions tend to duel with one another when the desire to protect civil rights overlaps with, or is inconsistent with, the desire to freely practice...
What are my Options if I Lose my Court Case?
No one wants to lose a court case, but sometimes this happens despite everyone’s best efforts. Appellate courts correct legal error and do not re-try a case’s facts. When the law is on your side, but the facts are not, an appeal is probably not worthwhile. But when...
ALERT – SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF GRANTS PROGRAM
ALERT- St. Paul, Minnesota- On June 16, 2020, Governor Tim Walz signed into law the Small Business Relief Grants Program. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (“DEED”) will oversee the program. Chiefly, the Small Business Relief Grants...
How to Support Employees with Mental Health Conditions
In the last few years, mental health has become a big part of the national conversation around wellness. When it comes to employment law, employers need know that employees with mental health conditions receive protection under the American Disabilities Act, and state...