Resources

The Internet provides many useful and readily accessible resources to investigate legal issues. But the Internet is not a substitute for seeking the advice of counsel. Below we have proved a list of resources to allow you to investigate potential legal issues you may encounter or may be currently encountering in your workplace. We hope that these references provide you with information about your rights, and at Leland and Conners we look forward to assisting you in any way possible to ensure that those rights and protections are defended

Age Discrimination

Courts

Criminal Background Reports

Text of the Fair Credit Reporting Act
The National Consumer Law Center created an insightful report titled "Broken Records: How Errors by Criminal Background Checking Companies Harm Workers and Business. That report can be found here.
The Electronic Privacy Information Center ("EPIC") has detailed information about the Fair Credit Reporting Act, particularly as applied to credit reports. That website can be found here.
On October 20, 2010, the Federal Trade Commission issued a Prepared Statement on the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Use of Consumer Reports in Employment. That prepared statement can be found here.
A 12 TV news story about a criminal background report case litigated by attorney Daniel Gray Leland can be found here.
A StarTribune news story about a criminal background report case litigated by attorney Daniel Gray Leland can be found here.
United States EEOC, Consideration of Arrest and Conviction Records in Employment Decisions Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Discrimination and Retaliation for Reporting Discrimination

Drug and Alcohol Testing in the Workplace

Minnesota Drug and Alcohol Testing in the Workplace Act, Minnesota Statutes §§ 181.950 - 181.957
The Minnesota House of Representatives Research Department drafted a summary of the provisions of the Minnesota Drug and Alcohol Testing in the Workplace Act. It is a good primer for issues relating to that Act. It can be found here.

Disability Discrimination

Equal Pay Act

Federal Family and Medical Leave Act ("FMLA")

The United States Department of Labor has created and maintained many documents regarding the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, including General Guidance, Fact Sheets, and Model Forms. An index of these documents can be found here.
The United States Department of Labor has created an "Employee Guide" to the Family and Medical Leave Act. It can be found here.
The United States Department of Labor also has an interactive "elaws" FMLA advisor. It can be found here.
United States EEOC, The Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Genetic Information Discrimination

Government Agencies

Laws (Statutes) & Regulations, and Other Materials

Legal Resources & Organizations

National Origin Discrimination

OSHA

Pregnancy Discrimination

Race/Color Discrimination

Religious Discrimination

Sexual Harassment and Discrimination

Wage and Hour Violations

Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry, Wage and Hour Information
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, Frequently Asked Questions
The United States Department of Labor maintains several "elaws advisors." These include an interactive "overtime calculator." These "elaws advisors" can be found here.
The United States Department of Labor maintains a variety of documentation and advisors about the categories of employees that are exempt from being paid overtime under federal law. This information can be found here.

Whistleblower

Minnesota Whistleblower Act

Workers' Compensation Retaliation

Text of the anti-retaliation provisions of the Minnesota Workers' Compensation Act, Minnesota Statute 176.82.
Information about Minnesota's workers' compensation system can be found at the website for the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry here.
The Center for Justice & Democracy at New York Law School has issued a Fact Sheet on retaliation against workers in the workers' compensation system. It can be found here.
In 2009, the New York Times published three articles about problems and difficulties in workers' compensation systems.
- Part 1, "For Injured Workers, a Costly Legal Swamp" can be found here.
- Part 2, "Exams of Injured Workers Fuel Mutual Mistrust" can be found here.
- Part 3, "In Workplace Injury System, Ill Will on All Sides" can be found here.
"Hidden Tragedy: Underreporting of Workplace Injuries and Illnesse," Hearing before the Subcommittee on Education and Labor, U.S. House of Representatives (June 19, 2008) can be found here.
The United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, maintains extensive documentation of injuries, illnesses, and fatalities in American workplaces. This data can be found from the host of links available from this website.
United States EEOC, Enforcement Guidance: Workers' Compensation and the ADA
Please also refer to the OSHA section of this page.

Unemployment

Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Program