Know Your Rights: Workplace Harassment in Minnesota

Minnesota law protects you from being harassed at work because of who you are. If someone at your job is making your workplace hostile, intimidating, or offensive based on a protected characteristic, you have legal rights.

Your Rights

1. You are protected from harassment based on who you are. The Minnesota Human Rights Act ( Minn. Stat. § 363A.08 ) makes it illegal to harass someone at work because of their race, sex, religion, disability, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, or other protected characteristics.

2. Your employer must take action when they know about harassment. Once your employer learns about harassment, they have a legal duty to stop it promptly. If they do nothing, they can be held responsible.

3. You cannot be punished for reporting harassment. It is illegal for your employer to fire you, demote you, cut your hours, or take any other action against you for reporting harassment or filing a complaint ( Minn. Stat. § 363A.15 ).

4. You do not have to be the direct target. If you witness harassment aimed at a coworker and it affects your ability to do your job, you may have a legal claim.

5. Harassment does not have to be sexual. Harassment based on race, religion, disability, age, or any other protected characteristic is just as illegal as sexual harassment.

6. You can file a complaint for free. You can file a charge of discrimination with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR) at no cost. You do not need a lawyer to file.

7. You may be entitled to damages. If your claim succeeds, you may receive back pay, compensation for emotional distress, and your employer may be ordered to pay your attorney fees.

What to Do

• Write everything down. Keep a record of each incident with the date, time, what happened, who was involved, and any witnesses. Store your notes outside of work.
• Save evidence. Keep copies of emails, text messages, photos, or any other proof of the harassment.
• Report it to your employer in writing. Follow your company’s harassment policy. If your supervisor is the harasser, go to their supervisor or HR. Keep a copy of your complaint.
• File a charge with MDHR. Call 651-539-1100 or file online at mn.gov/mdhr. You can also dual-file with the federal EEOC by calling 800-669-4000.
• Talk to a lawyer. Many employment attorneys offer free consultations and take harassment cases on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless you win.

Important Deadlines

Deadline	What It Means
1 year	You must file a charge with MDHR within 1 year of the last act of harassment
300 days	Deadline to file with the federal EEOC (if dual-filing with a state agency)

Get Help

• Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR): 651-539-1100 – mn.gov/mdhr – Files and investigates harassment charges
• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): 800-669-4000 – eeoc.gov – Handles federal discrimination claims

For more detail: See our full guide on Workplace Harassment.