Mpls worker to receive $11,000 in lost wages after denied sick time
MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - A former gas station worker, who was denied sick time, received an $11,000 settlement after filing a complaint under the City of Minneapolis' new sick and safe time ordinance. This is the city's first settled case of retaliation under the ordinance.
The employee worked for a gas station that strongly discouraged employees from using sick leave, even though it was allowed. When he became too sick to go to work, he asked for sick leave, but was denied, banned from the gas station and taken off the schedule. Unable to pay rent, he was evicted from his apartment.
About three months after he filed the complaint, the Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights reached a settlement of $11,000 in lost wages. The department will continue to monitor the gas station and will run trainings for staff and management. The supervisor who denied the employee sick time no longer works there.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey released the following statement, regarding the settlement:
“The quickest way to erode public trust is to fail to enforce a policy that people helped shape and that the City promised to implement. Our Civil Rights Department is fully committed to enforcing the landmark policies that help boost health and safety for people who live and work in our city. They have my full support in doing so.”
Minneapolis' safe and sick time ordinance took effect July 1. For more information about the ordinance or to file a complaint, click here.