Associate Attorney Cody Blades will be giving a FREE workshop on Motherhood in the Workplace on February 10, 2018  at Blooma prenatal yoga studios in Minnespolis. This workshop will empower pregnant women and mothers by educating them on their rights in relation to their employment. The workshop is perfect for pregnant women, new mothers, doulas, and other professionals guiding women through their pregnancies and postpartum care. Details below.

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First of all – if you’ve just been terminated or laid off from your job and you’re looking for answers – we’re sorry that you’re going through this experience. In our country, we often identify with our jobs as part of who we are: losing a job can feel like losing part of your identity. Especially if you’ve given years of your life to a company, built relationships and friendships with your coworkers, and enjoy the work, losing a job can be devastating. On top of that, you’ve likely got more immediate concerns about how you’re going to pay the bills after losing your job and continue to support yourself and your family. We’re truly and sincerely sorry that you’re dealing with this. And I hope this article can help provide some answers.

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Workplace Fairness Law in Minnesota – the Basics.

Here’s a quick primer on workplace fairness in Minnesota.  Unfortunately, there’s no state or federal law mandating “fairness” at work.  There’s no law saying that employers need to hire good bosses or kind employees, or that employers need to make good business decisions.  So the bad news is that your employer doesn’t have to be “fair” to you.

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Wrongful Termination in Minneapolis

Minnesota is an “at-will” employment state and Minneapolis is an “at will” employment city. That means that your employer can fire you for any reason or no reason at all – even a stupid, incorrect, unfair, or unethical reason – provided that it’s not an illegal reason.

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Approximately one year ago, the Mayor of Minneapolis, Mayor Betsy Hodges, unveiled her plan to address sick leave, scheduling, and wage theft issues in Minneapolis. In December, a 19-member group called the Workplace Regulations Partnership Group began meeting with each other and members of the public to construct an ordinance that would require employers located in Minneapolis to pay employees for days the employee is required to miss work either because the employee is sick or a member of the employee’s family is sick. The Group is made up of workers, organized labor representatives, employers, and representatives of business groups. Since December, the Group has held 14 listening sessions – sessions designed to get input from local businessowners and employees.

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On May 7, the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) brought (and quickly settled) its very first case under the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (“GINA”).  The complaint alleged that an employer had illegally gathered genetic information during job applicants’ medical exams.

GINA, which went into effect in 2009, prohibits the use of genetic information in making employment decisions.  The Act prohibits, among other things, an employer’s use of the following information:

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Hansen v. Robert Half Intnt’l (Minn. 2012):  The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled this week that employees taking medical leave from work do not need to mention the Minnesota Parental Leave Act (MPLA) in order to have their jobs protected by the law while on medical leave.

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Dear Friends,

I am excited to inform you that I am starting a new business venture, Madia Law LLC – a dynamic and aggressive law firm that will serve Minnesota individuals and small businesses.

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