If you have been a victim of Minnesota wrongful termination, you may be able to recoup your losses through a wrongful termination claim against your employer. Minnesota is an employment at-will state, but there are specific laws in place to protect workers. Both federal and state laws prohibit workplace discrimination, and if you are a whistleblower, it is a violation of laws to terminate you for reporting unethical or illegal activity in the workplace. If your termination breaches your employment contract, then you may have a claim as well.
What Are My Rights For Wrongful Termination In Minnesota?
Discrimination is prohibited by state and federal laws, so if you were terminated because of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, color, age, disability, or religion, get your claim underway with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). If you reported discrimination or harassment in the workplace, or were a witness for another employee, you cannot be retaliated against and are protected as a whistleblower. If you have an employment contract that requires you to be notified in advance of termination, or if you are a union member and your employer and union have a collective bargaining agreement, you have legal grounds to pursue a claim as well.
Who Is Protected From Wrongful Termination In Minnesota?
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which is federal law prohibiting discrimination, applies to companies with 15 or more workers. The Minnesota Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, public assistance, age, sexual orientation, familial status, gender identity, or activity with local human rights commission. The state laws apply to employers throughout the state.
Suing For Wrongful Termination In Minnesota
If you have been wrongfully terminated in Minnesota, you have limited time to pursue a claim against your employer. You have 180 days from the wrongful termination for discrimination to pursue a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). If your claim is under the state law, you have one-year from the date of discrimination to file your claim with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR). If the MDHR finds reason to believe that the Human Rights Act was violated by your employer, they will refer your claim to the Attorney General’s Office. You will need supporting documentation, such as your employment contract, termination papers, and witness statements.
In Conclusion
If you have been wrongfully terminated in Minnesota, consult with an employment law attorney who works with wrongful termination cases in the state. Employment law attorneys would be familiar with the applicable state and federal employment laws. Be sure to discuss payment options with your attorney because some lawyers require a retainer and charge an hourly rate while others take Minnesota wrongful termination claims on a contingency basis. Because there is a statute of limitations, you should act promptly. Fill out the Free Case Evaluation Form to share the details of your Minnesota wrongful termination claim with an attorney who represents clients in your state.
Additional Resources
- Employment Discrimination in Minnesota
- Can I File a Wrongful Termination Claim in a ‘Right-To-Work’ State?
- 3 Things To Know About Wrongful Termination
