Just the FAQs: Minnesota’s Ban on Non-Compete Agreements
Non-Compete Agreements have always been disfavored in the eyes of the law. Now they are banned in Minnesota. Here is what you need to know: What is a Non-Compete Agreement? A Non-Compete Agreement is any agreement that prevents an employee from obtaining certain employment following termination. It includes prohibitions on working in a particular capacity or for particular employers/competitors in a specified geographic region and/or for a specified amount of time. Did Minnesota Ban Non-Compete Agreements? Yes. Employers may no longer enter into Non-Compete Agreements with their employees or independent contractors. When does the ban take effect? The new law... Read More
Just the FAQs: Earned Sick and Safe Time
Effective January 1, 2024, Minnesota employers must provide employees with paid time off, which can be used for certain reasons, such as sickness of the employee or a family member or to seek assistance if the employee or a family member has experienced domestic abuse. Here is an overview of the new law. Who must provide Earned Sick and Safe Time? All Minnesota businesses with one or more employees must provide their employees with Earned Sick and Safe Time. Who is eligible for Earned Sick and Safe Time? Any employee who performs work for at least 80 hours in a... Read More
Unsolicited comments about an employee to other employers could give rise to defamation claims.
On January 30, 2023, in Abdul-Haqq v. LaLiberte, the Minnesota court of appeals held that “Minnesota law does not recognize a qualified privilege for defamatory statements made while dispensing unsolicited career advice.” There, LaLiberte contracted with Liam Hawkins as a sales representative for a storm-damage repair company. Several years later, Hawkins contracted with a company associated with Abdul-Haqq. LaLiberte subsequently sent several texts messages to Hawkins that disparaged Abdul-Haqq so that Hawkins could make an informed decision about working for Abdul-Haqq. Abdul-Haqq then sued LaLiberte, alleging the statements in LaLiberte’s text messages were defamatory. A jury awarded $300,000 in damages... Read More