Employers in Minnesota are banned 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 policies, or promotion policies. They must also make sure that working environments will not be hostile towards a specific gender and that the work atmosphere is not overly sexual.

What Must be Proven in a Discrimination Claim?

Discrimination happens 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. Discrimination claims in Crookston can be shown where the employer only hires one gender, promotes employees on the basis of gender, or acts in retaliation against a worker who has complained of employer misconduct.

When is Sexual Harassment Prohibited?

All unwelcome sexual behavior directed at the victim, including physical or verbal acts, is considered to be sexual harassment. A Crookston employer can be held liable for the unwelcome conduct, even if it was an employee's co-worker who engaged in the sexual harassment.

Minnesota employers may also be held liable for sexual harassment if it permits conduct that leads to an overly sexual work environment. Without a lawyer, it can be difficult to prove gender discrimination because the details in proving intent are often complicated. Additionally, there can be specific procedures that must be closely followed in pursuing a claim.