Election Results

We’ll let the major media talking heads comment on most of the big races and results across the country from Tuesday’s midterm elections while we highlight some of the issues and results that might be of greater concern to franchisees and other small business owners. That said, we note that once again, the results were…

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Notices Required

There are a couple of upcoming deadlines relating to employer obligations to post different notices of which we want you to be aware. The first is for a new law in Minnesota that we advised you of just about one month ago. The Minnesota Frontline Workers Payment Program requires employers in The Land of 10,000…

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Minnesota Enacts Frontline Worker Pay

Just at the end of last month, on April 29, 2022, Governor Tim Watz signed into law SB 2677, which replenished the unemployment trust fund, and among other things, created the Frontline Workers Payment Program. The program, which became effective immediately upon the governor’s signature, provides for payments to eligible employees in a very broadly…

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More States, Cities Adding Mandates

As the nation now awaits the final decision by SCOTUS on these vaccine mandates, more states and cities are imposing their own versions of vaccine-or-mask mandates. In fact, just over the past week or two, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Boston, and Chicago, have all announced new local vaccine mandates for consumers to enter…

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Dunkin’ JOY Run Raises Funds and Creates Happier, Healthier Hearts

His friends thought he’d be too embarrassed, but Rob Wessel is up for anything that will help him do good and help others. That’s why they bet Wessel $100 he wouldn’t walk around his neighborhood in his Dunkin’ onesie—a white jumpsuit emblazoned all over with the iconic pink and orange Dunkin’ logo. “I said, ‘I…

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Court Decisions of Note

Speaking of sexual harassment, the Minnesota Supreme Court early this month upheld the standard of “severe and pervasive” as applies to a threshold determination of sexual harassment claims, but it also whittled away some of the standard’s foundation. The court pronounced the Minnesota Human Rights Act more expansive and protective than federal Title VII protections…

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Minnesota Court Upholds Local $15 Wage

Three years ago, the city of Minneapolis adopted its own local minimum wage in excess of the state minimum with a phase-in schedule bring the local wage to $15 per hour through the year 2024. Two days ago, the Minnesota Supreme Court upheld that ordinance against a challenge brought by manufacturing company, Graco.  The international…

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New Wage Theft Law in Minnesota

Calling it one of the strongest sets of wage theft protections for workers in the country, Minnesota legislators hailed the passage of bipartisan legislation significantly increasing the penalties for and severity of wage theft in the North Star State. In addition making wage theft a felony, the legislation provides sufficient funding to double the number…

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July 1 Triggers Changes in State Laws

With the turn of the calendar on Monday, a number of states will see changes in various state laws and we want to ensure that you are aware. We provide additional details on those changes in this entry, but to clarify who should look further, changes will become effective on or around July 1st in…

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