Employment

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), workers spend approximately 8.8 hours every day at work. More than 30 percent of those who are employed work at least one day on the weekend. This means that more than one-third of a working person’s life is spent on the job.

With so much time allotted to employment, work should at least be as pleasant of an experience as possible. Sometimes it is. Sometimes, unlawful employment practices occur making an employee eligible for compensation. If you feel you have suffered due to illegal actions of your employer, you need to consult an employment lawyer.

Speeter & Johnson, Minnesota employment law attorneys

Speeter & Johnson, Minnesota employment law attorneys located in Minneapolis, have many years of experience assisting clients with employment issues. Some issues give rise to wrongful termination lawsuits. Others may be based on denial of certain benefits.

Denial of benefits

Employers may not deny workers the benefits of the federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or the Minnesota Parental Leave Law (MPLL). Employers are required to grant leave to workers who meet certain eligibility requirements under either or both laws. If an employer refuses these benefits, employees may take legal action in order to guarantee their rights.

Wrongful termination

Even though Minnesota is an at-will state, meaning that employers can fire employees for any reason, there are exceptions to that broad rule. Possible wrongful termination actions can arise in the following situations.

  • You have a contract for employment that specifies that you cannot be fired without cause.
  • A handbook or employment policy delineates reasons an employee can be fired and you were fired for a reason not listed.
  • You belong to a union that has an agreement articulating reasons for which you can be fired and your firing was for a reason not listed.
  • You were fired based on illegal discrimination. You cannot be fired based on your age, sex, sexual orientation, race, color or national origin.
  • Your employer fired you in retaliation for whistle blowing. An employer is prohibited by law from firing someone in retaliation for the employee having reported the employer for committing an illegal act such as fraud, harassment or discrimination.

We will consult with you and review all the facts of your situation to determine if you have a wrongful termination case.

Other employment issues

We can assist in:

  • Drafting employment contracts and employment handbooks.
  • Forming non-competition agreements.
  • Preparing contracts to protect trade secrets and intellectual property.
  • Preparing non-competition agreements.
  • Drafting severance agreements.

We work with employers when employees have breached these agreements and with employees who feel the agreements are too restrictive. Whether you are an employer needing contracts drafted or an employee who would like us to review a contract that has been presented to you, we can help.