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 Rochester 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 encompasses any unwelcome or unwanted conduct of a sexual nature that is directed at the victim, whether it is physical or verbal. Employers in Rochester might also be liable for the behavior, even when the conduct was done by an employee's co-worker.

If the employer allows conduct to create an overly sexual work environment, they might be held liable for sexual harassment in Minnesota. Without a lawyer, it can be difficult to prove gender discrimination because the details in proving intent are often complicated. Also, there can be specific procedures that must be closely followed in pursuing a claim.