employment law

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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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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The Employer’s Playbook: Communicating Through a Crisis Without Creating New Legal Risks

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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Navigating the Risks of AI in HR and Recruitment

Navigating the Risks of AI in HR and Recruitment

Artificial Intelligence, Firing, Hiring, HR Services, Labor Law

AI in HR hiring presents significant concerns centered onbias and discrimination, data privacy, and the loss of human interaction. While AI offers efficiency benefits, organizations must navigate these challenges carefully to ensure fair and compliant hiring processes. Synergy HR discussed concerns about the use of AI generally and specifically, the danger of bias in hiring

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Navigating AI in HR Balancing Innovation, Compliance, and Accountability

Navigating AI in HR: Balancing Innovation, Compliance, and Accountability

Artificial Intelligence, Hiring

Employers are rapidly adopting artificial intelligence and automated decision-making (ADS) tools for human resources functions. They are valuable tools for HR professionals, and should be an integral aspect of the HR operations of today and the future. Consequently, it should be no surprise to employer lawyers that our clients will be held liable when discriminatory

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Unlock Stress-Free HR: Discover the Benefits of Synergy Human Resources’ Care Plan Subscription

Unlock Stress-Free HR: Discover the Benefits of Synergy Human Resources’ Care Plan Subscription

HR Services

Synergy Human Resources has been offering an HR care plan subscription for several years.  A subscription will help you take the worry out of managing your HR.  Our HR care plan is affordable, easy to access, reliable and convenient. You will receive well over 35 years of HR and employment law knowledge. We will get

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