Employer Liability Archives

Minnesota employers: the Department of Labor and Industry’s new Earned Sick and Safe Time rules are now in effect (as of July 6, 2026). These rules bring needed clarity on accrual years, eligibility determinations, documentation, incentives, and how ESST interacts with other leave policies. Below is a practical, step-by-step compliance manual distilled from the adopted […]

Minnesota ESST Rules part 2: Step-by-Step Guide to the 2026 MNDOLI Rules Read More »

Jul 28 2026

Remote Work as an ADA Accommodation: What Recent Court Decisions Mean for Employers

Employer Liability, Employment Law, HR Compliance, Labor Law

As employers continue recalibrating return-to-office expectations in the years after the COVID-19 pandemic, many are facing a steady stream of requests for full-time remote work as a disability accommodation under the ADA. Recent federal appellate decisions offer important guidance. Courts continue to treat these requests as highly fact-specific inquiries centered on the essential functions of

Remote Work as an ADA Accommodation: What Recent Court Decisions Mean for Employers Read More »

Mar 9 2026

ADA Interactive Process: Employer Duties to Recognize and Initiate Accommodations Without a Request

Employer Liability, Employment Law, Workplace Conflict, Workplace Safety

The ADA mandates reasonable accommodations, but when must employers start the interactive process without an employee request? Explore key triggers, EEOC guidance, and proactive steps for compliance.

ADA Interactive Process: Employer Duties to Recognize and Initiate Accommodations Without a Request Read More »

Feb 3 2026

What the DOJ’s Challenge to Minnesota’s Affirmative Action Means for Workplace DEI

Employer Liability, Employment Law, Hiring, Minnesota Employment Law

The U.S. Department of Justice’s January 14, 2026 lawsuit against the State of Minnesota continues the evolving relationship between civil rights law and workplace DEI efforts. Filed under Title VII, the complaint challenges Minnesota’s long‑standing affirmative action framework for state employment—arguing that the state’s use of race‑ and sex‑conscious hiring goals, demographic availability analyses, and

What the DOJ’s Challenge to Minnesota’s Affirmative Action Means for Workplace DEI Read More »

Nov 21 2025

Legal Considerations Around Free Speech Protections

Employer Liability

When an employee’s online activity disrupts workplace harmony, employers must tread carefully; missteps can be costly.

Legal Considerations Around Free Speech Protections Read More »

hr director delivers performance improvement plan to employee

Oct 8 2025

PART TWO: PIPs in Practice – Getting Them Right

Employee Performance, Employer Liability, Firing

We dive deeper into employer intent, execution pitfalls, and how to craft PIPs that actually work.

PART TWO: PIPs in Practice – Getting Them Right Read More »

Sep 29 2025

PART ONE: Performance Improvement Plans – Help or Hidden Trap

Employee Performance, Employer Liability, Firing

Performance Improvement Plans (or PIPs) often spark intense debate. Are they legitimate tools to help struggling employees succeed—or thinly veiled strategies to protect employers in court?

PART ONE: Performance Improvement Plans – Help or Hidden Trap Read More »