The City of Minneapolis guarantees workers have access to paid sick leave, a minimum wage, and protection from wage theft. By investigating and enforcing these workplace protections, the City’s Civil Rights Department has reached an important milestone: More than $2 million dollars have been recovered for Minneapolis workers. These previously unpaid wages and damages were returned to workers as a result of investigations conducted by the Labor Standards Enforcement Division (LSED) of the Civil Rights Department.  

“The backbone of Minneapolis is, and always has been, our workers,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “When employers exploit labor, it’s not just workers who suffer—our entire community pays the price. Thank you to Director Phillips and our entire Civil Rights Department for standing united with our workers and ensuring economic justice isn’t a privilege, it’s a right.” 

“Workers' rights are civil rights and they make up the fabric of who we are in the City of Minneapolis," said Michelle Phillips, Director of the City's Civil Rights Department. "The Civil Rights Department is committed to making sure those rights are enforced fairly by providing education, training and enforcement of labor standards for every resident, worker and business in the City.” 

Since 2018, more than 1,000 labor standards complaints involving more than 16,000 workers have been processed by the Civil Rights Department resulting in 382 mediations or settlements. These investigations often include policy changes and technical assistance for all parties involved. Recent cases resolved by the LSED include:  

• Allegations that Amigos One Stop, a grocery store in South Minneapolis, denied overtime pay to three workers for the entirety of their employment. The City’s investigation found the workers often worked far more than hours 40 per work week. The employer cooperated with the investigation and entered into a settlement, agreeing to change its employment practices moving forward and paying more than $43,000 in back wages owed to the three workers. This case was brought to light through the City’s ongoing collaboration with worker advocates at Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en la Lucha. Without this community partnership, vulnerable workers would not have stepped forward to report violations or participate in an investigation.
  

• Two recent settlements between the Civil Rights Department and Unparalleled Parking LLC and Unparalleled Security LLC delivered more than $145,000 in back wages and damages owed to 180 security guards and valet attendants. The City’s investigation revealed almost no access to sick leave for workers, in violation of the City’s sick and safe time ordinance. In addition to restitution payments, the Department’s efforts ensured that workers were notified of their rights and the company provided accrued sick leave moving forward.
  

• A Department investigation into Plymouth Academy preschool found workers receiving subminimum wages. A settlement with the preschool delivered over $22,000 in back wages owed to seven workers serving children and families. All seven workers received raises after the settlement. This case was also brought forward through community partnership with Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en Lucha. 

“We have a collective responsibility as a city not just to create any jobs, but to support good jobs, building wealth and economic inclusion by investing in people,” said Brian Walsh, Director of the Labor Standards Enforcement Division. “Labor is not just another cost of doing business. Labor is people.” 

“Every dollar of stolen wages is a dollar less that workers have to cover rent, food, diapers, and other basic necessities. Wage theft continues to be a rampant problem, especially for low-wage workers and marginalized communities, and we’re glad to see the City continuing to invest in ensuring that basic labor protections are enforced,” said Patricio Cambias, an organizer with CTUL. "We’re proud of the co-enforcement partnership we’ve built with LSED, which allows worker centers to reach thousands of workers with critical information about their rights, and support workers in overcoming fear, retaliation, and other barriers that they face when coming forward with complaints. Together, we have put over $2 million dollars back in the hands of workers where it belongs.” 

On Jan. 1, 2025, the minimum wage in Minneapolis increased to $15.97 because better economic conditions for Minneapolis families leads to longer and healthier lives, and ultimately more stable communities. The City’s sick and safe time ordinance requires employers to provide some access to leave because working while sick endangers everyone. The City’s wage theft prevention ordinance provides workers in Minneapolis with an additional avenue to recover unpaid wages—such as overtime—through enforcement by the City’s Civil Rights Department. Violations can be reported by calling 311, filling out an online form, or in person at City Hall room 239.   

Enforcement of workers’ rights supports the City’s goals of stimulating inclusive economic growth by reducing economic and racial disparities. Learn more on the City’s website.