What Type of Conduct is Prohibited in Minnesota?
Employers in Minnesota are prohibited from discriminating against employees on the basis of gender under the Civil Rights Act of 1963 and the Equal Pay Act. As such, employers may not use make any determinations based on gender in any areas such as wage amounts, hiring, and promotion criteria. They must also ensure that the workplace environment is not hostile to a particular gender and that it is not overly sexual.
What Must be Proven in a Discrimination Claim?
The Equal Pay Act allows discrimination to be proven if it can be shown that both men and women work for the same employer doing the same tasks, and yet are paid differently. A discrimination claim may also succeed when employers in Plymouth hire only one specific gender, issues promotions based on gender, or retaliates against persons who seek relief for employer misconduct.
When is Sexual Harassment Prohibited?
Sexual harassment consists of any unwanted conduct of a sexual nature directed towards the victim, and includes both physical and verbal acts. Employers in Plymouth might also be liable for the behavior, even when the conduct was done by an employee's co-worker.
Minnesota employers can also be held liable for sexual harassment if it allows conduct that leads to an overly sexual work environment. It is usually somewhat difficult to prove gender discrimination if you don't have an attorney, because certain aspects such as proving intent can be complex. Pursuing a claim also involves following procedures, many of which can be detailed.
