Two types of commercial property insurance may cover COVID-19-related income loss for businesses:· Business interruption coverage, which covers loss of income that results when damage to a business's property prohibits the business from operating; and·...
Business Litigation
Sexual Harassment Update
You have to have been in a coma over the past weeks not to realize sexual harassment continues to be an issue in the workplace. A number of high profile individuals have had sexual harassment claims asserted against them. Some individuals have lost high paying jobs....
What is the Minnesota law for deceptive trade practices?
It can be difficult to do business in Minnesota and across the world. One aspect that must be followed has to do with certain laws that might be somewhat muddled or confusing. When selling a product or service, there is often a fine line between fraud, deception and...
Employment disputes can pop up around the holidays
The holiday season often presents unfortunate opportunities for legal problems for businesses because of an increase in business demand, more business hours, temporary workers and the need to meet consumer demands. Any legal shortcuts may pose legal problems that last...
Custodians gain class action status for wage lawsuit
Any business disputes or employee lawsuits can be costly, complex and lengthy. Recent business litigation between an Illinois-based company and some of its employees also shows how a lawsuit can grow.A federal district court judge granted class action status to a 2015...
Statistics may stump Tyson in wage case
The U.S. Supreme Court may allow the use of statistics for a class action lawsuit by Tyson employees for overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act. This proof, if allowed, would be unique to this class-action lawsuit.These employees, from a Tyson pork processing...
Minnesota companies face social media challenges
The proliferation of social media poses legal and personnel challenges for Minnesota employers, and potentially grounds for employment disputes. A worker's right to self-expression may conflict with the employer's interest in preventing criticism of its products and...
What prevents disparate treatment of workers?
Federal laws prevent discrimination concerning the hiring and treatment of workers. In other words, while discrimination may have been absent from a hiring decision, employers may violate federal law by treating workers differently in matters such as salaries and...
Can an employer fire an employee over a drug test?
Under the Minnesota Drug and Alcohol Testing in the Workplace Act, an employer cannot discharge an employee after that worker's first positive drug test without providing an opportunity for counseling or treatment. Employers may be liable in a civil action for damages...
Internship rules may change for business
Minnesota businesses may consider using interns to perform business tasks as these workers obtain experience, knowledge and even educational credits. While considered a low-cost alternative to hiring wage workers, these arrangement may lead to business disputes. The...