The United States is now more than 10 months into responding to the COVID-19 health care crisis. Minnesota has been grappling with it in earnest since at least March 2020 when Gov. Tim Walz initiated a series of executive orders designed to stem the spread of the disease until testing and/or a vaccine can be
Conflicting Messages: An Executive Order vs. Affirmative Action
The EEOC has encouraged employers to voluntarily modify employment practices and systems which create barriers to equal employment opportunity, without waiting for litigation or formal government action. The EEOC has said that the principle of nondiscrimination in employment because of race, color, religion, sex or national origin and the principle that each employer should take
Diversity Training Now a Construction Conundrum
The construction world is changing rapidly like everything else. Tech is making its way ever deeper into the construction industry. The shortage of labor has become chronic since the Great Recession. Covid-19 has only made that problem worse. At the same time, the pool of potential new hires is inexorably growing more diverse.
Diversity is
Multifamily Housing Shifts Focus to the Suburbs
Like most things in 2020, the multifamily housing market is in a state of flux. Recently, I had the opportunity to moderate the Bisnow webinar, Twin Cities Deep Dive: Multifamily Update. The panelists included Brent Webb, Development Manager, Mortenson, Christian Osmundson, Director of Development, Alatus, and Josh Brandsted, President of Greco Properties. These leaders
The Minnesota Employer’s Guide to Navigating Workplace Issues During COVID-19
When COVID-19 began its pernicious spread, causing Americans to lock down and employers to close or curtail their workplaces, lawyers were busy advising clients on required leaves of absence, the eligibility of laid-off employees for unemployment compensation and other paid benefits, as well as other legal issues associated with closing a business or sending a
Pandemic Disrupts the Multifamily Housing Market
The global pandemic has affected every aspect of life in America and across the world, the multifamily housing market is no exception. The impact of the pandemic is affecting every aspect of multifamily development from product design and selection, to getting deals done, to building management and operation.
Over the last decade, there has been
Commercial Lease Negotiations in Uncertain Times: Series Final
This is the sixth and final post in a series of blog posts on the topic of commercial leasing during these uncertain times. Throughout the summer this series has explored a number of commercial leasing related questions raised by both commercial landlords and commercial tenants.
Even before 2020, the world of commercial real estate was
Expanding Minnesota’s Community Solar Garden Program is a Win, Win, Win for Greater Minnesota
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic began, communities in Greater Minnesota were facing uncertain futures. Now, nearly six months into a peacetime emergency that was first declared by Governor Tim Walz on March 13, 2020, the impacts of COVID-19 have only exacerbated the economic development challenges Greater Minnesota has faced for years. Farm incomes are at
To Require Vaccines or Not: That is the Question
We are all waiting for a COVID-19 vaccine. When we have a vaccine, can an employer require that applicants and employees be vaccinated against COVID-19? Employers have a legitimate desire to keep their workplaces safe and to protect their employees from contracting COVID-19 in the workplace. Phyllis Karasov and Dan Ballintine discuss the practical and legal issues associated with an employer mandatory vaccination program.
Continue Reading To Require Vaccines or Not: That is the Question
Commercial Lease Negotiations in Uncertain Times: Market Trends Surrounding Property Improvements Part 2
In our last post we welcomed the following guests to introduce themselves, to share advice they are currently offering to clients as they navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, and to share their initial observations surrounding property improvements as some businesses are beginning to re-open their doors to employees, customers, and clients:
Continue Reading Commercial Lease Negotiations in Uncertain Times: Market Trends Surrounding Property Improvements Part 2
The Top Five Misperceptions About Use of Electronic Logging Devices For Businesses
This post is co-written by Bryan Huntington and Justin Gillette.
Transporting supplies and equipment is an essential part of the construction industry. Electronic logging devices (ELDs) have made it possible for a business to monitor nearly all aspects of a truck’s daily activities. These technological guardians monitor a truck’s speed, location, sudden braking and