There are many areas of a job applicant’s life that a person may be curious about, but an employer should steer clear of. This article identifies some of the questions employers should avoid (Interview Don’ts) and things employers you should remember and do when ...Read More

The H-2A program allows foreign workers to perform agricultural labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature in the United States. This program, however, has stringent rules carrying substantial civil and criminal penalties for employers violating the program. Five common employer compliance issues ...Read More

On March 1, 2022, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) updated guidance regarding reasonable accommodations for sincerely held religious beliefs. This update answers important questions raised by employers following the publication of federal and state COVID-19 vaccination and testing emergency standards. The Occupational Safety ...Read More

Many employee handbooks have a general disclaimer that “nothing contained herein creates a contract” (hereinafter, the “No Contract Disclaimer”). In Hall v. City of Plainview, 954 N.W.2d 254 (Minn. 2021) the Minnesota Supreme Court evaluated this disclaimer and answered the following questions:

Does a ...Read More

Publication of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s COVID-19 vaccination and testing emergency temporary standard had many employers asking: What must we do when an employee asserts a religious exemption? This article provides a brief outline of the private1 employer’s obligations whenever an employee ...Read More

On January 25, 2022, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced the withdrawal of the COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS), effective January 26, 2022. This follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision granting an emergency stay of the ETS, finding OSHA ...Read More

Beginning July 25, 2020, Governor Walz will require face coverings to be worn in Minnesota indoor businesses and indoor public settings. The following is a review of some key requirements in the face covering mandate appearing in Emergency Executive Order 20-81:

Where Are Face Masks ...Read More

As Mankato’s face covering ordinance is scheduled to take effect July 10, 2020, the city council issued answers to frequently asked questions about the ordinance. Our blog post outlining the ordinance may be found here.

The ordinance failed to define what constitutes medical intolerance and ...Read More

Beginning July 10, 2020, all individuals over the age of 12 must wear a mask or face covering over their nose and mouth when in a Mankato indoor space of public accommodation. This requirement was issued in that Emergency Ordinance 2020-4 (“Ordinance”) adopted by ...Read More

All businesses must have a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan prior to reopening. Governor Tim Walz made another announcement in Minnesota’s safely reopening plan by issuing Emergency Executive Order 20-74 on June 5, 2020. The order requires, for the first time, that critical businesses develop and ...Read More