Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry

Minnesota, “The Land of Ten Thousand Lakes,” has seen its population soar past five million this decade. Although Minnesota remains relatively ethnically homogenous (as compared with neighboring states like Illinois and Michigan), its population has nevertheless diversified significantly. In particular, an influx of Asian and Latino immigrants to the Minneapolis / St. Paul metro area has enriched and changed the character of the state. According to a 2005 budget estimate, Minnesota produces around $230 billion a year in domestic product. While the state at one time relied almost solely on agriculture and mining to sustain its economy; today, Minnesotans do much more than farm and drill. Forestry, IT, tourism, and high tech industries all play important roles in MN’s economy.

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) oversees and enforces labor law. The DLI provides education, resources for employers and employees, training, and licensing and certification. The DLI also regulates worker’s comp, occupational safety and health, inspections, apprenticeship programs, and dispute resolution services. The DLI is over 120 years old. It was founded originally as a subdivision of the Labor Statistics Bureau. In 1967, however, the state legislature broadened and deepened the DLI’s powers and responsibilities. Today, the department’s mandate includes preventing workplace accidents, enforcing labor standards, and taking action against employment discrimination, harassment, and wage violations.

The state engages in significant trade with its “neighbor to the north,” Canada. Often, labor law issues arise with respect to how to treat guest workers from Canada. For instance: do Minnesota’s antidiscrimination statutes take precedence over federal statutes or Canadian statutes in areas of mixed jurisdiction?

Has your Minnesota employer engaged in conduct that you believe constituted harassment or discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin? If so, call or email Joseph, Herzfeld, Hester & Kirschenbaum to set up a confidential and free meeting.