From time-to-time, I meet (read: they got in trouble or were about to) a new client from out of state that has an issue in Minnesota arise – not because of any willful or intentional wrongdoing, but just because they don’t realize some unique aspects of Minnesota law. So, for those non-Minnesota based Minnesota employers,
Paid Leave
Employers May Need to Provide Paid Time Off for Military Leave Under USERRA
I think I’m in movie mode; last week I was blogging Back to the Future, this week I’m channeling my inner Top Gun. In any event, on to the less exciting legal mumbo jumbo. With remote work and expanding businesses, many more employers have employees throughout the U.S., some of which may be military members…
Minnesota Supreme Court Holds PTO Handbook Terms May Create Unilateral Contract
I have spent plenty of time in the quaint small town of Plainview, Minnesota (where the City snowplow is a tractor and dump truck team), and so it’s fun to write about this one, but I feel for the City (which voted to sell the liquor store in August 2020 while this appeal was pending).…
DOL Clarifies Families First Coronavirus Response Act Paid Leave Requirements
On September 11, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division revised the paid leave provisions (including sick leave and expanded family and medical leave) of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). As a reminder, the paid leave requirements under the FFCRA are (currently) set to expire on December 31, 2020.…
How to Determine Whether Your Business Is A Critical Business and Exempt from the Minnesota Stay-At-Home Order
Wow – how fast things can change in a day! Following up to my post yesterday, as all of Minnesota is well aware now, Governor Walz issued his Stay-At-Home Executive Order 20-20 effective March 27 at 11:59 pm to April 10, 2020. I’ve barely had time to write this post as I’ve been on the…
Minneapolis Issues Guidance on COVID-19 and Sick and Safe Time
Minneapolis has issued a FAQ regarding COVID-19 and the Minneapolis Sick and Safe Time Ordinance. In short, the document outlines how the city of Minneapolis is “interpreting” the ordinance as it relates to earned sick and safe time (ESST). While I believe they are taking some liberties with their interpretation of the ordinance, employers…
Frequently Asked Questions About the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
As time goes on, I will do my best to update you all with questions I am asked frequently about the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Families First Act or FFCRA) which includes the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (EFMLA) and the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (SPSLA). This post will be updated…
Employer Obligations Under the Federal Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act
On March 18, 2020, President Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Families First Act or FFCRA) into law which, among other things, amends the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) with the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (EFMLA). Here is what employers need to know about Public Health Emergency Leave (“PHEL”):
- Employees
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Employer Obligations Under the Federal Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act
In addition to my blog about the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (EFMLA), the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Families First Act or FFCRA) also contains the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA). Emergency paid sick time (EPST) will go into effect 15 days after the Families Act is enacted – April 1,…
How to Handle Wage and Time Off Issues with Coronavirus – COVID-19 and Other Infectious Diseases in Minnesota
I held off as long as possible, but it seems like we are getting inundated these past few days with wage and time off questions relating to Coronavirus – COVID-19 as it moves into Minnesota. So, below is my take on the situation, and an overview of considerations for employers. As always, be sure not…