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:

1. 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 ...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 ...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

On March 24, 2020, the United States Department of Labor (DOL) issued guidance regarding the enforcement of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the “Act”). This guidance first clarifies that the Act’s effective date is April 1, 2020. Useful questions and answers were also ...Read More

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act was signed into law on March 18, 2020, and takes effect on April 1, 2020. Employers across the nation will be obligated under the Act to provide expansive leave to employees. Below are key points from the Act ...Read More