The Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR) recently updated several documents on its website for Minnesota government contractors. This is the second article in a series focused on the compliance responsibilities of Minnesota contractors holding workforce certificates that the MDHR issued. The first part in the series covered the workforce
Articles About Minnesota Labor and Employment Law.
Minnesota State Contractors Must Use New MDHR Two-Part Annual Compliance Report Beginning July 1
In March 2025, the Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR) updated its annual compliance report (ACR) without substantive changes. Two months later, the MDHR has issued a new two-part ACR with significant updates. The new ACR now includes two parts: “Part 1: Year in Review Narrative,” and “Part 2: Data
Minnesota Employment Legislative Update 2025, Part III: Regular Session Ends in Stalemate and Stagnation
On May 19, 2025, the Minnesota Legislature’s regular session adjourned without completing the two-year budget, leaving a long list of outstanding bills in limbo. The Minnesota Legislature will now enter a special session to tackle unfinished business. Despite the regular session’s anti-climactic ending, state lawmakers managed to pass a handful
U.S. District Judge Upholds Federal Preemption Over Minnesota State Drug Testing Law
The U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota recently sided with a natural gas distribution company in a lawsuit by an employee in a safety-sensitive position who alleged his discharge following a failed random drug test violated the Minnesota Drug and Alcohol Testing in the Workplace Act (DATWA). The
Minneapolis Anti-Discrimination Law Revised: Employment Decisions Based on Body Size, Criminal History to Be Barred
TakeawaysThe amended Civil Rights Ordinance newly bars employers from discrimination based on “justice-impacted status,” housing status, and height and weight and applies beginning 08.01.25.The new law also requires employers to provide religious accommodations and pregnancy-related accommodations.Minneapolis employers should review and revise their policies and practices to ensure compliance.Related link
Minneapolis, Minnesota Amends its Anti-discrimination Ordinance
Minneapolis, Minnesota Amends its Anti-discrimination Ordinance
On May 12, 2025, the city of Minneapolis enacted extensive amendments to its existing antidiscrimination ordinance, including expanding definitions relating to protected characteristics and accommodations. The ordinance applies to employers of all sizes within Minneapolis, any employer that hires an employee whose services will
Minnesota Employment Legislative Update 2025, Part II: It’s Déjà Vu—Lengthy Omnibus Bills, Buried Employment Law Changes
Last year’s Minnesota legislative session resulted in a 1,000-page omnibus bill that included significant changes to the state’s labor and employment laws. As this year’s legislative session comes to a close, we predict a range of developments in employment and labor-related laws to emerge in omnibus bills or to be
Spring 2025 Brings Changes to Minnesota Contractors’ State Affirmative Action Requirements
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR) recently updated several documents on its website for Minnesota government contractors, including the workforce certificate application, affirmative action program template (now “Compliance Plan”), annual compliance report (ACR), ACR instructions, and nondiscrimination poster. These changes were presumably made to minimize conflict with President Donald
Minnesota Employment Legislative Update 2025, Part I: Breaking the Tie to Make the Law
After controlling Minnesota’s House, Senate, and governorship since 2023, the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor (DFL) Party’s legislative and gubernatorial “trifecta” at the state capitol is no more. The 2025 regular session of the Minnesota Legislature began with Democrats and Republicans tied at sixty-seven members each in the House and a slim DFL
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Proposes Rules on Statewide Earned Sick and Safe Time Law
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (MNDOLI) recently issued proposed rules for governing Minnesota’s Earned Sick and Safe Time Law (ESST). The proposed rules are open for public comment through April 2, 2025.
Minnesota Court Rules Websites Are Public Accommodations Under ADA
Joining a number of courts across the country that have ruled similarly, the District Court for District of Minnesota held recently that the Americans with Disabilities Act’s (ADA) prohibition against discrimination in “places of public accommodation” applies to websites. In Frost v. Lion Brand Yarn Company, the plaintiffs, who are
Updates for Employers Using Private Plans to Comply with Minnesota’s Paid Leave Law
Minnesota is one of a dozen states that have enacted a statewide program providing compensation to employees during family and medical leaves. Minnesota’s
Election Essentials: An Employer’s Guide to Employee Time Off to Vote in Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, and North Dakota
With Election Day approaching, here is a timely reminder for employers in Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, and North Dakota regarding their obligations under these states’ laws to excuse employees from work to go to the polls. With many voters opting to vote early or by mail, the number of voters
Employers With 30 or More Employees in Minnesota Required to Provide Salary Ranges in Job Postings, Beginning in 2025
Effective January 1, 2025, employers with thirty or more workers in Minnesota will be required to provide salary ranges and a general description of benefits in job postings—a requirement that appears to apply to recruiting and staffing companies in Minnesota seeking candidates to work for employers in other states.
New Minnesota Law Voids Restrictive Employment Covenants in Service Contracts, Except for Computer Professionals
Minnesota’s legislature rushed through several bills this year affecting recruiting and staffing associations and other service providers such as property management companies. One such law may, as one member of the Minnesota House of Representatives noted, have “profound” consequences for service providers regarding contractual conversion fees. As the law is