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2023 Key Issues: Workplace management

Mandates


Preserving the right of private employers to develop wage and benefit packages that fit the distinct needs of companies and employees

 

Minnesota businesses don’t have the luxury of considering labor policies and state tax and spending decisions separately, in a vacuum. A “do no harm” approach was important this session to prevent additional cost burdens and mandates on employers doing their best to keep their doors open and people employed.

Again in the 2021 session, the Minnesota House advanced numerous paid leave mandates and workplace burdens on employers and sought to remove existing employer flexibilities and small business exemptions. Overreaching “one size fits all” state mandates disrupt the positive relationship between most employers and employees, unnecessarily inhibit creative workplace solutions, and interfere in the operations of workplaces that are already heavily regulated. We oppose these attempts because of the variety and nuances of the many workplaces across Minnesota. These bills were incorporated into the House Jobs Omnibus Bill (HF 1342) and the combined effects of these ideas would greatly impede Minnesota’s business competitiveness and recovery.

 

The Chamber's Lauryn Schothorst testifies against the $1 billion, 24-week paid leave mandate during the 2023 session.

 

Return on investment for your Minnesota Chamber membership

 

Mandating paid leave

 

 

Our work gets results

Our work gets results

  • Preserved employers' ability to create benefit packages for their specific workplace and industry. 
  • Opposed one-size-fits-all mandates on employee benefits that would constrain employers’ ability to conduct business.


2023 priorities include:

  • Preserve private-sector flexibility to determine wages, benefits, scheduling, employee classification, and make hiring decisions.
     
  • Improve structural regulatory and compliance environment.
     
  • Support explicit statewide preemption of local labor ordinances; oppose establishment of local labor standards boards.
     
  • Ensure regulatory changes proposed through Minnesota’s state agencies consider impacts on Minnesota employers.
     
  • Oppose unreasonable regulations; streamline occupational licensing Promote workplace safety and employer protections concerning legalization of products containing THC; recreational marijuana.

Make your voice heard

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Make sure you're signed up for action alerts, join a policy committee or interact with legislators during 2023 Chamber Day at the Capitol! It's important for legislators to know how their actions impact Minnesota employers and employees.

 

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