The Modern Workplace
In the continued wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous states have recently taken steps, through either new legislation or executive orders issued by governors, to expand both workers compensation and unemployment benefits in circumstances tied to COVID-19. We highlight Minnesota developments as examples.
Workers Compensation Benefits for Essential Workers:
The Minnesota unemployment law generally provides that employees terminated through no fault of their own are entitled to benefits. Individuals who voluntarily quit ...
The Minnesota Legislature is in full swing, and as always, employers will want to monitor the proposals under consideration at the Capitol. Bills that may impact employers include:
- Health Insurance Exchange. Governor Dayton has just signed legislation creating Minnesota's health insurance exchange, which is a significant part of the federal health insurance overhaul.
- Minimum Wage Increase. Lawmakers appear to be moving forward with House and Senate bills that would increase Minnesota's minimum wage for most employees to $9.95 or tie the required wage to inflation. Currently ...
A new provision of the Minnesota unemployment statute became effective July 1. Enacted by the 2012 legislature, the new language could have an impact on Minnesota employers and employees, but just what that effect might be is not -- to be charitable -- entirely clear.
It is not unusual for an employer to enter into an agreement with the departing employee under which the employee releases potential claims against the employer. To make such an agreement enforceable in a court of law, the employer must provide the departing employee something of value that, without the agreement, the ...