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Minneapolis advisors recommend employer‑paid one‑hour worker “right‑to‑know” trainings
Summary
A workplace advisory committee recommended the city adopt a worker right to one hour of employer‑paid “know your rights” training, with certified trainers and notice requirements; committee presenters urged the city to formalize the practice in the earned sick and safe time ordinance.
A workplace advisory committee recommended that Minneapolis establish a citywide right for employees to attend one hour of employer‑paid “know your rights” training, presenters told the Public Health and Safety Committee on June 25.
The recommendation, presented by Taylor Chevy, a lead organizer with Sektul (a workers’ organization) and Brian Elliott, executive director of the SEIU Minnesota State Council, calls for three components: a guaranteed one hour of employer‑paid training, a city role in approving or certifying training organizations and curriculum, and a mechanism to inform workers of the right through posting, settlement terms, or employer notices.
“Training from a trusted organization ensures that workers feel knowledgeable, empowered, and supported,” Taylor Chevy said. “Using our Know Your Rights training as a tool has allowed the city and community partners to support hundreds of workers in resolving problems.”
Elliott described the three components in more detail, saying the proposal mirrors existing city requirements for minimum wage and earned sick and safe time posting. “We are talking about one hour, full stop, of employer‑paid right to know,” he said, adding that the committee envisions both automatic inclusion in settlement agreements with violators and a posting requirement similar to other labor protections.
Presenters framed the recommendation as an extension of the city’s existing co‑enforcement partnerships between community organizations and city enforcement units; they cited research and local case work showing many violations remain unreported and noted the statewide earned sick and safe time statute passed in 2023 must be aligned with any city changes.
Committee members praised the clarity of the proposal and flagged budget questions and next steps. Council President (unnamed in the transcript) and Council Member Ellison thanked presenters and said they wanted the committee to receive the advisory report and consider documentation used by the Workplace Advisory Committee for further review.
Chair Jason Chavez directed the clerk to receive and file the advisory committee report.
What happens next: The committee received and filed the report; presenters and council members indicated interest in moving the recommendation into the legislative process and requested the WAC documentation for staff review and potential ordinance drafting.
