Harassment: Minnesota

Federal law and guidance on this subject should be reviewed together with this section.

Author: Judy Langevin, formerly of Lathrop GPM

Summary

• The Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA) specifically prohibits sexual harassment in the workplace. See Sexual Harassment Under the MHRA.
• The MHRA and Title VII differ in some ways on the issue of sexual harassment, causing the Minnesota courts to apply different standards in some sexual harassment cases. However, the Minnesota courts have adopted federal standards when deciding some MHRA sexual harassment claims. See Sexual Harassment Under the MHRA.
• The MHRA's prohibitions against employment discrimination have generally been interpreted to cover acts which create a hostile work environment based on race, religion, disability, age or any other protected class status. See Other Forms of Harassment Under the MHRA.
• The procedures and remedies under the MHRA also differ from those under Title VII. See Procedures and Remedies Under the MHRA
• Localities including Minneapolis and St. Paul have requirements pertaining to harassment. See Local Requirements.