Minnesota
Overview
Please review the information below as well as the information on the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity page and then return to the workplace harassment prevention course tab.
Harassment and discrimination based on a protected characteristic are prohibited under both federal and state law. The federal government and most state governments have agencies that help employers and employees understand these legal requirements and ensure compliance with the laws.
Protected Characteristics
Harassment or discrimination based on any characteristic set forth below is prohibited under state law in Minnesota.
Minnesota
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race (inclusive of traits associated with race, including but not limited to hair texture and hair styles such as braids, locs, and twists).
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color
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national origin (including lineal ancestry)
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sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related disabilities and conditions)
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gender identity
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sexual orientation
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age (18 or older)
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creed
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disability
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familial status
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genetic information
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marital status
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religion
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status regarding public assistance
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membership or activity in a local commission
Applicable Laws
Minnesota
The primary state law prohibiting employment discrimination, including harassment, is the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
Minn. Stat. Ann. § 181.974 prohibits discrimination on the basis of genetic information.
Filing a Claim in Minnesota
An employment discrimination or harassment claim may be filed with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, and/or the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, depending on the employer’s size and the protected characteristic on which the claim is based. More information on federal law prohibiting employment discrimination and harassment is available on the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity page.
Retaliation Prohibited
Employer retaliation against an employee who files a discrimination or harassment complaint or is involved in the complaint process is unlawful.
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only.
It does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice.