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. Consequently employers cannot use sex or gender as a basis for determinations regarding wages, hiring procedures, or promotion policies. They must also make sure that working environments will not be hostile towards a particular gender and that the work atmosphere is not overly sexual.

What Must be Proven in a Discrimination Claim?

Discrimination occurs according to the Equal Pay Act if both men and women are working in the same job and performing the same tasks, yet receive different wages. Furthermore, a claim may prevail if an employer in Big Lake hires only one gender, promotes workers because of their gender, or retaliates against those seeking relief for this 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. A Big Lake employer could be held liable for the unwelcome conduct, even if it was an employee's co-worker who engaged in the sexual harassment.

Minnesota employers who allow conduct to produce an overly sexual work atmosphere might also be held liable for sexual harassment. Gender discrimination is normally difficult to prove without a lawyer because the specifics of proving intent can be complicated. There are also detailed procedures that must be followed when pursuing a claim.