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 requirements. 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?

Discrimination can be proven under the Equal Pay act if both men and women do the same type of work for the same employer but are still paid in different amounts. Employers in Hennepin County can also be held liable in a discrimination claim if their hiring and promotion policies favor one gender, or if the they take retaliatory action against a worker who files a complaint against their employer.

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. An employer in Hennepin County may be liable for such conduct, even when it is simply other co-workers that have engaged in harassment.

Minnesota employers who allow conduct to produce an overly sexual work atmosphere might also be held liable for sexual harassment. 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.