While many types of employment discrimination are talked about frequently, one that has recently been in the news is hair discrimination. Many Minneapolis residents may not know that hair discrimination is an issue faced by many Black people in the workplace on a daily basis -- people have been fired for wearing their hair in traditional Black hairstyles.
Are employees discriminated against on the basis of their hair?
Can an "at-will" employee be wrongfully terminated?
"At-will" employment is not uncommon in the Twin Cities, nor is it uncommon throughout the United States. A person who is hired into a job with an at-will status may leave their job whenever they want, without notice or justification. However, the at-will relationship between a worker and their employer goes both ways. An employer can also release an at-will employee without notice or cause.
Is hiring on the basis of affinity discriminatory?
Even as the Minnesota administration is touting their inclusiveness in the workplace, the state is facing a lawsuit from a former auditor of the Minnesota Department of Revenue for discriminating against him. According to the former employee, he was blocked from promotions that other less qualified white colleagues received. According to him, he was the one who had trained the promoted individuals.
What is a whistleblower?
The term "whistleblower" often pops up during salacious news casts about corporate misdeeds and major legal investigations. However, for as much as Americans hear it, many may not actually know what the term "whistleblower" means. A brief overview of this important employment law topic may give Minnesota residents a better understanding of why it can be hard for some individuals to take on such a role.
Do not stand against discrimination and harassment alone
Regardless of one's race, gender, religious belief or age, Minneapolis residents deserve to work in a space that is free from discrimination and one where they feel safe and respected. Providing those workplaces is an employer's responsibility, but an employer could be far-removed from the workplace. This is where managers and supervisors come into play -- they keep up with what is happening in the office and are often the ones violated employees go to in order to report a problem. When a supervisor or manager neglects to address the problem and lets discrimination continue, they may be in violation of federal laws.
