December 3, 2024
How Do You Prove Wrongful Termination in Minnesota?
A wrongful termination is not always an unlawful termination. Termination can typically happen for any reason or even no reason at all, especially in an at will state like Minnesota. At will employment means that an employer can let you go for any reason, even if it feels unfair to you or is even wrong or false, so long as the reason is not illegal.
Employees, including independent contractors, can also leave their jobs whenever they want under employment at will. There are some situations where employment at will does not apply, mainly to protect workers from discrimination or retaliation.
For a termination to be considered illegal—or unlawful—the termination must violate a state or federal law. Employees are afforded certain protections from unlawful termination under different state and federal laws including several federal laws that are enforced under the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Employees are also protected from employment discrimination under various state and federal laws.
For example, employees are protected from retaliation if they report illegal activities performed by their employer or if they take part in an investigation into illegal activities their employer has allegedly carried out. If an employee is fired because they took part in a protected activity like reporting illegal activities, that can be a case of unlawful termination. The Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA) plays a significant role in protecting employees from discriminatory practices based on various protected characteristics.
With that in mind, not every situation of wrongful termination will be considered unlawful. But to establish that a termination was unlawful, you will have to be prove that the termination was—at least in part—motivated by an unlawful reason.
What Constitutes Wrongful Termination in Minnesota?
Wrongful termination in Minnesota occurs when an employer fires an employee for reasons that are prohibited by law. While Minnesota is an “at-will” employment state, meaning employers can generally terminate employees at any time, this does not extend to illegal or public policy-violating reasons. Wrongful termination can happen if an employee is fired due to discrimination, retaliation, or other unlawful reasons. For instance, if an employee is terminated because of their race, gender, sexual orientation, or for reporting illegal activities, this constitutes wrongful termination. Understanding what constitutes wrongful termination in Minnesota is crucial for seeking legal advice and potentially filing a lawsuit.
How Do You Prove Wrongful Termination in Minnesota?
As you might expect, your employer will generally not come out and say that they have terminated you for an illegal reason – whether that reason is based on discrimination, retaliation, whistleblowing, or other unlawful conduct. If your termination was based on an unlawful reason, an employer may try to tie a termination to a different reason, such as claiming poor work performance or attendance. So, in order to prove that a termination was wrongful, you will need to file a legal claim and gather evidence to support that the termination was actually related to an unlawful reason.
There are a number different ways that you and a wrongful termination lawyer in Minnesota can work to prove wrongful termination. Some of the more common ways are to show that:
Prove that the employer’s stated reason for termination is incorrect. Employees, within 15 business days of being terminated, can request in writing the reason for termination from their employer, per state law.
Prove that the provided reason for termination is not the real reason for termination.
Proving an illegal termination can be done by providing evidence like emails, work performance reviews, your employment contract, eyewitness statements, and more to support your case
In some cases, your situation may include direct evidence of a wrongful termination being caused by unlawful conduct. For example, an employer might send you an email that blatantly says you are being let go for reporting discriminatory behavior from a coworker. But it is important to keep in mind that this type of very direct evidence is not always going to be available in every case, and that’s okay.
Can I Sue My Employer if I was Wrongfully Terminated in MN?
If you have reason to believe a wrongful termination is also related to an unlawful reason, then you may have grounds to seek legal action against your employer. It is important to maintain professionalism and avoid speaking negatively about your former employer to preserve your reputation and future job prospects. For example, if you and a coworker commit similar actions but only you are terminated, you may have a case of unlawful termination on your hands.
If you believe you were unlawfully terminated, contact the wrongful termination lawyers in Minnesota at Wanta Thome.
Exceptions to “At-Will” Employment
Although Minnesota is an “at-will” employment state, there are notable exceptions to this rule. These exceptions include employment contracts, implied contracts, the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and public policy violations. For example, if an employer has an employment contract with an employee, they must adhere to the terms outlined in that contract. Implied contracts can also arise from verbal assurances or company policies that suggest job security. Additionally, terminations that violate public policy, such as firing an employee for refusing to engage in illegal activities, are prohibited. Employees covered by collective bargaining agreements may only be terminated for “just cause,” providing further protection against wrongful termination.
Can I Collect Unemployment Benefits if I was Fired in MN?
Most people are considered eligible for unemployment benefits in Minnesota unless they have:
Been fired for employment misconduct
Quit their jobs
Left a role due to participation in a labor dispute
Been fired for aggravated employment misconduct
There are exceptions to these reasons, especially in cases of an employee who has quit their job or for employees who are fired. Some exceptions for employees who have been fired who may still be eligible for unemployment benefits, as listed by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, include:
Honest mistakes
Inefficiency
Absence because of illness and/or injury with notice to an employer
Ordinary errors/accidents that aren’t caused by negligence or carelessness
An inability to meet an employer’s performance expectations
You can see a detailed list of eligibility requirements for unemployment benefits on the Minnesota Unemployment Insurance website to learn more.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Termination Cases
In Minnesota, the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful termination claim depends on the nature of the claim and the applicable law. Under Minnesota law, an employee has one year from the date of a discriminatory or retaliatory act to file a claim with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights or to initiate a lawsuit. Federal law and whistleblower claims may have different limitations periods, which can vary. It is essential to consult with a knowledgeable and experienced employment attorney to understand the specific statute of limitations and other relevant deadlines for your case. This ensures you do not miss the opportunity to file a suit and seek justice for your wrongful termination.
How Hard is it to Prove Wrongful Termination in MN?
The difficulty of proving a wrongful termination case will vary from case to case as details and information differ. The potential value of a wrongful termination case depends on multiple factors, including the strength of the case and the damages suffered by the employee. Proving wrongful termination that is unlawful will require evidence and available evidence will depend on your individual circumstances.
To help better understand the evidence you may need to help prove wrongful termination, reach out to one of our wrongful termination lawyers in Minnesota. We are ready and waiting to offer you guidance.
Reach Out Today for Help
We offer free initial consultations so we can better understand your situation. Our team of wrongful termination lawyers are here to serve qualified clients as strong allies to you as we work together to discuss your rights and better understand what you are dealing with.