Workplace Discrimination: How We Can Help

Under Minnesota law, employers are prohibited from discriminating against employees and job applicants based on age, disability, race, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, military status, marital status, familial status, or status with regard to public assistance. At Bertelson Law Office, P.A., our attorneys have 50 years’ combined experience. As Minnesota Bar Association Certified Employment and Labor Law Specialists, we are experienced in handling discrimination cases.

What Is Workplace Discrimination?

Discrimination is different treatment based on a person’s age, disability, race, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, military status, marital status, familial status or status with regard to public assistance. Discrimination and harassment can take many forms, including:

• Termination based on a protected category
• Failure to hire, promote, or offer training pre-employment questions that determine who is hired
• Unrelated job requirements that exclude people of a certain age, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status more than others
• Racial or ethnic slurs or derogatory comments based on a protected class that create a discriminatory workplace
• “English only” language rules and requirements in the workplace

Follow the menu at the bottom of the page to view specific examples of how discrimination may present itself in the workplace.

Possible Steps To Take If You Are Facing Discrimination At Work

1. If possible, directly inform the harasser that his/her conduct is unwelcome and must stop. This response could prevent future harassment from the person, as they may not have realized his/her behavior was offensive.
2. File a complaint of discrimination, use any employer complaint mechanism or grievance system available.
3. Document the circumstances, such as the nature of the discriminatory comments or actions, and the context in which the incidents occurred. Keep track of dates, places, times, witnesses.
4. Contact an employment law attorney to review your situation.

Types Of Discrimination

• Age Discrimination
• Disability Discrimination
• Gender Discrimination
• Race, Color, Creed, Religious and National Origin Discrimination 
• Sexual Orientation, Marital and Familial Status Discrimination

Contact Us If You Believe You Are Being Discriminated Against At Work

If you think you may be facing discrimination in the workplace, contact Bertelson Law Office, P.A. at 612-278-9832 to discuss what claims you may have.

*THIS MATERIAL IS EDUCATIONAL ONLY. IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AND SHOULD NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR LEGAL ADVICE.