Minnesota Women's Economic Security Act Passed: Employment Law Manual Updated, Legal Timetables Added

Author: Gloria Ju

Minnesota has passed the Women's Economic Security Act, which contains a broad range of provisions affecting Minnesota employers, including:

  • A prohibition against discrimination based on familial or caregiver status;
  • An increase from six to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for the birth or adoption of a child, plus prenatal care and pregnancy-related health conditions;
  • The allowance of personal sick leave to be used for safety leave related to sexual assault, domestic abuse and stalking;
  • The requirement to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant employees;
  • Increased protections for nursing mothers;
  • A requirement for employers with 40 or more employees to obtain an equal pay certificate if they do more than $500,000 of business with the state;
  • Protections for employees who disclose or discuss their wages; and
  • The expansion of unemployment eligibility to cover victims of sexual assault and stalking.

Some of these provisions took effect immediately, while others take effect August 1 or October 5.

In light of these new requirements, entries have been added to Legal Timetable and the following sections of the Employment Law Manual have been updated: