Earlier this year, my wife and I seized the opportunity to travel to Doha, Qatar to visit our son who was stationed at nearby Al Udeid Air Force Base. It was a remarkable experience. We toured the Souq Waqif (photo above), the Pearl
(photo at right) and the Museum of Islamic Art (photo at below left), tasted the international cuisine, soaked up some sun, and swam in the Persian Gulf
. As we engaged with those we met, we realized that despite our differences, we shared many things in common. We all seem to enjoy a good meal with friends and family, basking in the sun (photo below at left)
, and Coca-Cola (photo below at right)
, to name a few. Though our visit was brief, we left with a better understanding of the people living and working there.
The Failure of Anti-Bias Training: Is Employee Engagement the Solution ?
State Minimum Wage Set to Increase on January 1
The minimum wage for Minnesota employees will take another jump effective January 1, 2019. For large employers (any enterprise with an annual gross revenue of $500,000.00 or more), the minimum wage will increase from $9.65 to $9.86 per hour. For small employers (any enterprise with annual gross revenue of less than $500,000.00), it will jump from $7.87 to $8.04.
Alternatives to Court
The courthouse is not the only place to resolve civil disputes. Many cases are settled through alternative forms of dispute resolution ("ADR"). Two of the most common forms are mediation and arbitration.
Does Anybody Really Know what Time it Is?
That's the question Chicago asks in the song of the same name on their classic 1969 debut album, Chicago Transit Authority (here's a link to the original version before it was shortened for radio play). When it comes to the deadlines for bringing legal claims, not knowing the time will indeed give you "time enough to cry." That's because the law sets deadlines, called statutes of limitation, by which legal claims must be pursued. If those deadlines are missed, the claim can no longer be made in court, no matter how strong the facts and law may be to support it.
Employees' Election Day Rights
In a week, many of us will breathe a sigh of relief that campaign ad season will be over (for now). So, now is a good time for Minnesota employers and employees to think ahead about their election day rights.
Court Rules in Favor of Employee who Lost Childcare
Any parent of young children in Minnesota can tell horror stories about how difficult it is to find childcare. The shortage of childcare here has reached crisis levels (see Minnesota's 'quiet crisis' in child care: 'There's not a silver bullet', St. Cloud Times, April 13, 2018; Child care shortage reaching 'crisis' levels, Business North, Aug. 9, 2018). Often, the crisis impacts the parents' availability to work, which in turn impacts their ability to support their families. Recently, the Minnesota Court of Appeals gave those parents some help by ruling in favor of a mother who quit her job because she lost childcare.
USERRA Reemployment Rights Stressed by Court of Appeals
![20100722-5194[2].jpg](https://www.alexandriamnlaw.com/blog/images/20100722-5194%5B2%5D.jpg)
All U.S. employers must be mindful of their uniformed service members' reemployment rights under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 ("USERRA"). That's the lesson to be learned from a recent decision by the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Everyone Wins! Enjoy Steaks and Chops while Supporting our Community!
While August brings back-to-school sales and county fairs, it is also time for two great gastronomic events Alexandria - the Alexandria Rotary Club's Pork and Corn Feed and the Runetone Museum's Annual Steakfry.
Tom Jacobson and Mike Cass Selected to Super Lawyers Lists
Tom Jacobson has been selected to the 2018 Minnesota Employment and Labor Super Lawyers list. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the Super Lawyers' research team to receive this honor. This is the third time Jacobson has made this list. Certified by the Minnesota State Bar Association as a Labor and Employment Law Specialist, Jacobson is a shareholder at Swenson Lervick.
Do I Have a Case for Sexual Harassment?
"I'm being harassed at work! Do I have a case?" This is another question I hear a lot from potential clients, much like "Can I sue for wrongful termination?" More often than not, the "harassment" is by a boss who is just being a jerk, and I have to tell the potential client that there is no law against being a jerk.
