Minneapolis Workplace Discrimination Lawyers

At the law firm of Neaton & Puklich, P.L.L.P. we provide skilled representation to employees in the Minneapolis metro who have been subjected to discrimination in the workplace or during the interview and hiring processes. If you believe that you are a victim of discrimination, it is important to have an experienced attorney on your side.

Our attorneys have more than 50 years of combined legal experience and provide the victims of discrimination with tenacious representation. Call 952-314-5779 or toll-free at 877-813-4764 for a free and confidential consultation about your legal options.

Protecting The Rights Of Employees In The Twin Cities

Your right to work is protected by numerous state and federal laws and should not be minimized by your age, gender, race, national origin or disability. Our Minneapolis workplace discrimination lawyers have extensive trial experience and pursue discrimination claims on behalf of employees who are contending with discrimination relating to their:

• Age: You notice that people at your job who are younger and less experienced than you are offered opportunities to move ahead while you are consistently overlooked. Federal law protects workers over 40 against age discrimination. In Minnesota, however, protections are offered to all workers over the age of 18.
• Gender: You find out that the men in your company are paid significantly higher than the women, despite roughly equal job tasks and experience levels. Another example of discriminatory behavior would be promoting men at far higher rates than women.
• Race or national origin: Your employer requires an English-only policy at the workplace, but since you speak your native language on your work breaks, you are skipped over for a new position you are qualified to fill. Racial discrimination is often – but not always – systemic. If you notice that you and other minority employees are consistently kept out of positions of leadership despite eligibility and qualifications, you should share your concerns with one of our discrimination attorneys.
• Disability: Your job application is refused because you stated that you have a disability, but you otherwise have the experience necessary to perform the duties of the position. Illegal behavior is not just limited to discrimination in hiring. Disability discrimination may also include being fired, passed over for promotions or otherwise treated unfairly due to your disability.
• Religion: You are not permitted to wear items sacred to you, even though doing so does not interfere with your workplace performance. Because religious beliefs and practices are so important to many workers, discrimination based on religion can often cause serious emotional distress as well as financial consequences like demotion or job loss.
• Sexual orientation: You notice that since you came out, you seem to be receiving lower reviews from your supervisor for no apparent reason.
• Pregnancy You hear co-workers and your boss chatting and laughing about your “unfortunate circumstances” as a pregnant woman. They do not stop, even when you ask them to stop making disparaging remarks about you. It’s important to know that pregnancy discrimination is also gender discrimination. If your employer refuses to make reasonable accommodations for your pregnancy (like allowing you to sit down rather than standing all day), you could potentially make a claim of illegal discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Medical condition: You find out that your co-workers who do the same type of work as you do are given raises, but you do not receive a raise because of your medical condition. If you are denied reasonable accommodations that would allow you to do your job or if you are fired due to your medical condition, you should speak to an experienced employment discrimination lawyer about your rights under the ADA.

These are just a fraction of the types of situations that our clients find themselves facing. Our attorneys are tenacious advocates for employees, and they will help you understand and exercise your full list of legal options.

Discrimination Can Take Numerous Forms

You may have been a victim of discrimination if you suffered any of the following and you suspect it was due to one of the protected characteristics listed above:

• You were fired under unclear or suspicious circumstances.
• You were forced to quit because working conditions became intolerable.
• You were demoted for reasons unrelated to your performance.
• You were transferred to an undesirable location or had a permanent shift change (like working overnights) that no one else experienced.
• You suffered a decrease in salary.
• You were not hired after the potential employer became aware of your disability, religious beliefs or some other protected characteristic.

If you believe you are subject to workplace discrimination, speak with our attorneys. They are skilled trial lawyers with experience representing employers as well as employees. This benefits our employee clients, as our team understands these issues from both perspectives and uses that insight to present effective arguments on behalf of employees who have suffered from discrimination.

Frequently Asked Questions About Minnesota Workplace Discrimination

Employment discrimination cases in the Twin Cities often raise complex legal questions for workers who believe their rights have been violated.

Can I sue my previous employer for a discriminatory negative job reference?

Yes, you may have legal grounds to pursue a claim if a former employer provides a negative reference based on discriminatory reasons related to your protected characteristics. Minnesota law prohibits retaliation and discrimination that extends beyond the employment relationship itself. Proving this type of claim requires demonstrating that the negative reference was both false and motivated by discriminatory intent rather than legitimate performance concerns. Former employers who provide honest, factual references about job performance generally have legal protection, even if the information is unfavorable.

Does my at-will status in Minnesota mean I have no protection against discrimination?

No, at-will employment does not eliminate your protections against discrimination. While Minnesota employers can generally terminate employees for any reason, they cannot fire you or take adverse actions based on protected characteristics, including age, race, gender, disability, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or pregnancy. Federal laws like Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, along with the Minnesota Human Rights Act, override at-will employment principles. If you can demonstrate that your termination was motivated by discrimination rather than legitimate business reasons, you have grounds for a legal claim.

What is my employment discrimination claim worth?

The value of discrimination claims varies significantly based on the specific circumstances and harm you suffered. Successful claimants may recover multiple forms of compensation:

• Back pay: Compensation for lost wages resulting from termination, demotion or other adverse employment actions from the date of discrimination until resolution of your case.
• Front pay: Future lost earnings if reinstatement to your former position is not feasible or appropriate given the circumstances.
• Lost benefits: Reimbursement for health insurance, retirement contributions, bonuses and other employment benefits you lost due to discriminatory actions.
• Reinstatement: Court-ordered return to your former position with restored seniority and benefits.
• Policy changes: Requirements that your employer implement anti-discrimination training, revise workplace policies and establish monitoring systems to prevent future violations.
• Compensatory damages: Compensation for emotional distress, humiliation, anxiety, damage to your professional reputation and other noneconomic harm caused by discrimination.
• Punitive damages: Additional damages awarded in cases involving intentional discrimination or malicious conduct, designed to punish the employer and deter future violations.

Our attorneys thoroughly evaluate all aspects of your case to pursue maximum compensation for both economic losses and personal harm you experienced.

Get Answers To Your Discrimination Questions. Contact Us Today.

Our lawyers are selective about the cases they take, ensuring that each client receives their full attention and support. From identifying whether you have a claim to fighting for your rights in court, our team will protect your interests every step of the way. Contact Neaton & Puklich, P.L.L.P., online or call us today at 952-314-5779 or toll-free at 877-813-4764 to arrange a free initial consultation.