The United States as a whole has robust civil rights laws that protect people in many facets of life including at work. Additionally, each state in the nation has its own such laws. While these laws aim to prevent acts such as discrimination or wrongful termination, the Minnesota Department of Human Rights indicates that an action may be unfair but that does not necessarily make it illegal. It is important for Minnesota residents to understand their rights under the laws and how to know when to seek help.
The Minnesota Human Rights Act governs violations of citizens’ human rights in employment, housing, education, credit and other situations. In order to be deemed illegal, the violation must pertain to a issues such as a person’s ethnicity, religious or other beliefs, disabled status, age, gender, sexual orientation and marital or familial situation.
Workers who believe they have been fired from their jobs for any reason that includes these factors have rights under the law. According to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Minnesota is considered an at-will employment law state. This means that an employer can fire an employee at any time and does not need to give any advance notice.
However, this at-will termination allowed by law does not eliminate the rights of an employee. A terminated employee is allowed to request an explanation and can do so in writing within 15 business days of the date of termination. The employer then has up to 10 business days to respond, also in writing. If wrongful dismissal is suspected, the employee can pursue further action.