Being fired from your job in Minneapolis can be a devastating blow, particularly if you believe that your termination was not justified. Very rarely are people fired without a reason. However, oftentimes employers may be unclear as to exactly what that reason may be. If you left the meeting in which you were determined feeling that way, then you justly question what motivated your employer’s actions. Given that Minnesota is an “at-will” employment state, many may believe that it is OK for a company to fire you without providing any reason at all. However, that is not the case.
The definition of at-will employment as given by the Bureau of Labor Statistics is that when such a scenario exists, either the employer or the employee can end their association for any reason whatsoever. Notice, however, that it does not say that a reason does not need to be given. Minnesota law, in fact, requires that one be provided.
According to the state’s Office of the Revisor of Statutes, you may request (in writing) that a reason be given for the termination of your employment within 15 days of being let go. Your former employer then has 10 days to respond to such a request. If, after having received its answer, you still feel as though your firing was not warranted, you may have a certain amount of legal leeway in challenging the decision.
While the principle of at-will employment may give the impression that your employer can fire you for any reason it chooses, Minnesota does prohibit such action in certain situations. Those include discrimination based upon your gender, race or religion, or in retaliation against you for any whistleblower actions.