New laws protecting workers set to take effect in Minnesota

CROOKSTON, Minn. (KVRR) – On August 1st several new laws will take effect in Minnesota, with two of them being focused on expanding and securing benefits for workers.

“We were able to pass legislation that made sure that workers who were servers and so forth would get their full minimum wage plus not deducting their tips.”

However, Froemke says that certain businesses began taking money out of tips on payments made with a credit card to cover swipe fees, something that will now be illegal in Minnesota.

“Workers, if you leave a ten dollar tip on your credit card, now they’ll get that ten dollars.”

There will also be changes to paid parental leave in Minnesota, allowing mothers to take time off during pregnancy, without having to use their parental leave. This is part of an expansion in parental leave that Froemke says will be a boon for workers.

“It’s very pro-family, and that’s something that we as Minnesotans should be proud of.”

He adds that if workers are concerned that their employers are not giving them these benefits, all they have to do is reach out.

“No matter if you’re union, or not union, we will give you the information to know your rights. Because a lot of times, unfortunately, working people don’t know their rights and their benefits.”