On August 11, 2021, the Minnesota Supreme Court issued a decision of significance to any owner or manager of residential properties in Minnesota that employs live-in caretakers or property managers. The court confirmed that such businesses and their live-in employees may enter into agreements that include the payment of rent
Articles About Minnesota Labor and Employment Law.
Duluth, Minnesota Adds Permitted Uses, Notice, Enforcement to Sick and Safe Time Ordinance
Employers covered by the Duluth, Minnesota Sick and Safe Time ordinance will need to revisit relevant policies in light of amendments that will become effective August 19, 2021.
Duluth, Minnesota Amends Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance
The mayor of Duluth, Minnesota recently signed File # 21-023-O, which, effective August 19, 2021, broadens covered uses of leave under the Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) Ordinance, and amends employer notice and enforcement provisions. When the amendments take effect:
Minnesota Legislature Amends Lactation Breaks and Pregnancy Accommodation Provisions
As part of the Omnibus Jobs and Economic Growth Finance and Policy Bill, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has approved an amendment relating to pregnancy accommodations and barring reducing compensation for lactation breaks, among other changes. The amendment goes into effect on January 1, 2022.
Under Minnesota law, employers must provide
Minneapolis Enacts ‘Hospitality Worker Right to Recall’ Ordinance, Effective May 1, 2021
Hospitality and event center workers received additional job rights protection under a new ordinance passed by the Minneapolis City Council. The new ordinance requires employers to recall those workers, if and when they are needed in reverse order of seniority. Ordinance No.2021-12, entitled “Hospitality Worker Right to Recall,” seeks to
Minnesota Governor Walz Gradually Eases COVID-19 Business Restrictions
On March 12, 2021, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz dialed back Minnesota’s COVID-19–related restrictions by issuing Emergency Executive Order (EO) 21-11, “Adjusting Limitations on Certain Activities and Taking Steps Forward.” Most provisions of the executive order went into effect on March 15, 2021, and relate to activities outside of the home,
Minnesota Eases COVID-19 Restrictions, Recommends Continued Work-From-Home
Nearly one year after Minnesota Governor Tim Walz first issued an executive order addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, he has issued new Emergency Executive Order 21-11 (Adjusting Limitations on Certain Activities and Taking Steps Forward), easing restrictions on social gatherings and occupancy limitations for certain industries.
Minnesota Employer’s Handbook Disclaimer Fails on PTO Policy Under Wage Payment Statute
Minnesota employers will be heading back to the drawing board to revise their handbook disclaimers. The Minnesota Supreme Court now requires specific language in policies that set out the terms and conditions for payment of certain employee benefits such as payouts of vacation and paid time off (PTO).
Minnesota Supreme Court Holds General Contract Disclaimer in Employee Handbook May Not Prevent Creating Contractual Obligations to Pay Out PTO
Fourteen years ago, in Lee v. Fresenius Med. Care, 741 N.W.2d 117 (Minn. 2007), the Minnesota Supreme Court held that an employer’s obligation to pay out unused paid time off (PTO) to an employee at termination depends on what the employer’s PTO policy dictates. The holding was consistent with Minnesota law as it did not require employers to offer any PTO to employees. The issue of whether PTO is owed at time of termination is a question of contract, and employers can set the terms with a carefully drafted policy.
Is Your PTO Policy a Contract? Minnesota Supreme Court Finds General Handbook Disclaimer Does Not Necessarily Disclaim PTO Obligations
On February 3, 2021, the Minnesota Supreme Court held in Hall v. City of Plainview that a general disclaimer that a handbook should not be construed as a contract may not be effective to prevent a paid time off (PTO) policy contained in the handbook from forming a contract.
St. Paul, Minnesota Limits the Amounts Food Delivery Platforms Can Charge During the Pandemic
St. Paul has joined the growing list of cities limiting fees food delivery platforms can earn during the COVID-19 pandemic. In enacting its ordinance, St. Paul follows fellow Minnesota cities Minneapolis and Edina, as well as several other cities around the country.
By a vote of 7-0, the St.
Minnesota Eases COVID-19 Restrictions on Businesses
To start off the new year, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed Executive Order 21-01 (Protecting Recent Progress and Cautiously Resuming Certain Activities) on January 6, 2021, easing some of the current restrictions imposed under Executive Order 20-103 Extending and Modifying Executive Order 20-99 and continuing the state’s efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Minneapolis Increases Protections for Freelance Workers
The growth of freelance work has exploded in recent years and shows no signs of stopping. Effective January 1, 2021, a new ordinance that could have a significant impact on independent contractors and the companies with which they work took effect in the City of Minneapolis after the Minneapolis
City of Minneapolis Expands Wage Theft Protections to Independent Contractors Beginning 2021
Effective January 1, 2021, the City of Minneapolis Freelance Worker Protection Ordinance expands wage theft protections to independent contractors who perform services within the City of Minneapolis.
Minnesota Extends COVID-19 Four-Week Dial-Back Period With Modifications
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has issued a new order (Executive Order 20-103 Extending and Modifying Executive Order 20-99) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to extend the four-week dial-back period on certain activities under Executive Order 20-99 through 11:59 p.m. on January 10, 2021, with some modifications. The new order goes into effect at 11:59 p.m. on December 18, 2020.
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