Minnesota Employment Law Attorneys

At Villaume & Schiek, we represent either employees or employers who have employment issues such as charges of a hostile work environment. Consider consulting a lawyer if you’re facing discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, or wage theft. Our employment law team will help you understand your rights under Minnesota employment law and guide you through complex workplace disputes.

We provide a free initial consultation to those who have employment law issues. Call 952-641-7734 or email us to request your consultation.

Employment Law For The Employee

During our long history of litigation with employment law issues, our law firm has successfully represented employees with employment discrimination claims, wrongful termination lawsuits and other issues. Our experience includes:

• Defending professionals in licensing board actions
• Protecting employees’ FMLA rights
• Defending teachers’ rights
• Participation as employee advocates in employment contract dispute mediation, including severance package negotiation
• Representation of professionals charged with ethics violations
• Representing employees and professionals in matters of employer misconduct
• Representing employees in matters of discrimination, harassment or abuse

Employment Law For The Employer

The workplace training sessions conducted by attorney Villaume are largely about strategies and methods that employers can put in place to avoid creating a hostile work environment. We believe that employers do not intend to discriminate or create an unhealthy workplace, and that, given education and awareness, they can avoid litigation by avoiding violations in the first place.

Our law firm also represents employers that are charged with wrongful termination, employee harassment or civil rights violations.

Approach Your Company’s HR With Caution

You walk into the human resources (HR) office feeling nervous but hopeful. You’re dealing with a serious workplace issue, and you believe HR will help you resolve it fairly. After all, isn’t that what human resources are for?

Unfortunately, many Minnesota employees share this belief only to find themselves disappointed or even harmed by misunderstanding HR’s true purpose. Thus, knowing how to approach your company’s HR strategically can make the difference between protecting your rights and losing your job.

The Function of Human Resources

The reality is that the HR department’s primary job is to protect the company from legal liability and financial risk. While HR professionals may seem friendly and approachable, their ultimate loyalty lies with your employer, not with you.

However, this doesn’t mean that HR employees are bad people. You just need to understand their role. When you report workplace issues to HR, they’re evaluating how those issues might affect the company. After all, they are not your personal advocate or counselor. Knowing these changes, how you should prepare for and conduct every interaction you have with your company’s HR.

Tips in Approaching HR

Understanding HR’s true role is just the first step. You also need practical strategies to protect your interests during any HR interaction. Before you schedule that meeting or send that email, consider these key approaches:

• Be professional in all communications: Keep your tone calm and factual, even when discussing emotional situations.
  Follow the email trail religiously: Document verbal conversations by sending follow-up emails that recap what was discussed and agreed upon.
• Keep detailed records of everything: Save emails, take notes during meetings and store copies of all relevant documents in a safe place outside of work.
• Know your right to access personnel files: Minnesota law allows you to request and review your employment records at any time so you can check your performance evaluations or investigations for any retaliatory acts.
• These strategies create a protective framework around your workplace communications. However, documentation alone may not be enough when serious legal issues arise.

Protect Your Rights at Work

HR can help you navigate benefits questions and company policies. However, when issues threaten your job security or involve potential legal violations, you need independent legal counsel. An employment attorney works solely for you, not your employer.

Free Employment Law Consultation

Our law office is conveniently located in Bloomington, right off Interstate 494 and across from the Mall of America, and has ample free parking.

If you have an employment law matter, please call our Twin Cities employment law firm at 952-641-7734, or send us an email to schedule a free initial consultation with a lawyer.