Minnesota Employment Law

FLSA Reclassification: 5 Steps to Move from Exempt to Non-Exempt Compliance

FLSA Reclassification: 5 Steps to Move from Exempt to Non-Exempt Compliance

Employment Law, Labor Law, Minnesota Employment Law

In the first installment on FLSA classifications we suggested that employers perform an internal audit to assess compliance with FLSA and state law exemptions from overtime. In this post, we review a key strategic tool to address the misclassifications. Reclassification from exempt to non-exempt is a key compliance step under the FLSA. When done proactively, […]

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Bloomington Eliminates Local ESST Ordinance as State Law Takes Precedence

Bloomington Repeals ESST Ordinance: What Minnesota Employers Need to Know

Employment Law, Labor Law, Minnesota Employment Law

On April 27, 2026, Bloomington, Minnesota repealed its Earned Sick and Safe Time Ordinance. As explained in the corresponding meeting agenda packet, “the primary purpose of Bloomington’s ESST ordinance, to guarantee paid sick and safe time, has been fulfilled by the statewide law.” Bloomington is the second Minnesota city to repeal its paid sick and safe leave ordinance

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Navigating Political Expression in the Workplace: Legal Risks and Best Practices

Navigating Political Expression in the Workplace: Legal Risks and Best Practices

Employment Law, Labor Law, Minnesota Employment Law

This past year employers in the United States have seen an increase in workplace political discourse as they try to balance offering freedom of expression, avoiding workplace division, and complying with state and federal laws. This guide highlights the laws that could be implicated with workplace political speech, and offers tips on minimizing liability. Laws

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DOL's 2026 Proposed Rule: Easier Independent Contractor Classifications with Core Focus on Control and Profit/Loss

DOL’s 2026 Proposed Rule: Easier Independent Contractor Classifications with Core Focus on Control and Profit/Loss

Employment Law, Labor Law, Minnesota Employment Law

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has proposed another revision to independent contractor regulations, one that would provide for more leeway in classifying workers as contractors. DOL’s proposed rule, published on February 26, 2026, would rescind the Biden DOL’s March 2024 independent contractor regulation and reinstate a framework substantially tracking the prior Trump rule of

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Big EEOC Change in January 2026: Why Harassment Compliance Still Matters the Same

Big EEOC Change in January 2026: Why Harassment Compliance Still Matters the Same

Employment Law, Minnesota Employment Law, Workplace Harassment

The EEOC rescinded its 2024 Harassment Guidance in January 2026 — but don’t panic. Core laws, liability standards, and best practices for handling workplace harassment complaints remain unchanged. For small and mid-sized employers, the focus stays on prompt investigations, trusted reporting channels, consistent discipline, and strong documentation to minimize risks — no matter the agency’s enforcement tone.

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Avoiding Workplace Retaliation Claims: Essential Best Practices for Employers

Avoiding Workplace Retaliation Claims: Essential Best Practices for Employers

Discrimination, Employment Law, Labor Law, Minnesota Employment Law, Workplace Harassment

Retaliation claims remain one of the most frequent and difficult employment issues to defend. Learn the legal basics, protected activities, and 8 key best practices—including strong no-retaliation policies, prompt investigations, consistent documentation, and legal oversight—to help employers reduce risk and maintain compliance.

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Minnesota's New Paid Leave Program: Does It Cover Fear of Civil Unrest from Protests and Immigration Enforcement?

Minnesota’s New Paid Leave Program: Does It Cover Fear of Civil Unrest from Protests and Immigration Enforcement?

Employment Law, Minnesota Employment Law

Minnesota’s Paid Leave Program (often referred to as Minnesota Paid Leave) officially took effect on January 1, 2026, creating a statewide paid family and medical leave benefit for most employees working in Minnesota. The law provides partial wage replacement and job protection for qualifying family and medical events. The Upshot Key features of the law

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

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

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Strategic Crisis Communications: 5 Tips to Avoid Legal Pitfalls and Protect Your Organization

Strategic Crisis Communications: 5 Tips to Avoid Legal Pitfalls and Protect Your Organization

Minnesota Employment Law, Workplace Conflict

In the wake of any crisis, stress and tensions run high. As a result, employers may be inclined to communicate prematurely, over- or under-communicate, or otherwise communicate without thinking about the potential legal repercussions that could follow (for example, regulatory scrutiny, shareholder lawsuits, employee lawsuits, etc.). To avoid a misstep that might compound a crisis,

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Partner with Midwest HR Experts Backed by Employment Law Counsel

Partner with Midwest HR Experts Backed by Employment Law Counsel

HR Services, Labor Law, Minnesota Employment Law

With Minnesota’s new break law and paid leave requirements taking effect on January 1, many business leaders like yourself are navigating increased compliance demands – from mandatory meal/rest breaks to updated wage notices and potential penalties for non-compliance. At Synergy HR, we specialize in helping Midwest businesses and professional organizations (like law firms, CPA firms,

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