E-Verify is free and voluntary (with certain exceptions) and is the best means available for determining employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers. Federal departments and agencies require contractors to use an electronic system to verify worker’s employment eligibility. The use of E-Verify in Minnesota is voluntary except for the Executive Branch of the State, recipients (vendors and subcontractors) of state contracts in excess of $50,000 and recipients of business subsidy agreements with the State. Employees in Minnesota can verify their own employment eligibility status through Self-Check, part of the E-Verify system. Self-Check allows workers to check their own status. Prior to applying for employment, a worker over the age of 16 may enter the same information into Self-Check that employers would enter from an employee’s Form I-9 into E-Verify. The information comes from documents that establish a worker’s identity and employment eligibility in the U.S. The worker then may compare his or her information with information in the same databases that E-Verify uses so that the worker may identify and address any existing mismatching information before applying with an employer who uses E-Verify. E-Verify program information can be found at the address, telephone number and website address in the Resource Directory Section of this Guide.
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
GENERAL INFORMATION The Occupational Safety and Health Division of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry administers the Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Act. The express legislative purpose of this Act is “to assure so far as possible every working man and woman in the State of Minnesota safe and healthful working conditions and to preserve our human resources.” The Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Rules and Regulations adopt by reference the federal Occupational Safety and Health Standards. In addition, Minnesota has adopted some localized standards that apply to hazards not covered by the federal OSHA standards. Minnesota OSHA standards apply to all places of employment in the state with the exception of those under the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal government. All places of employment are subject to inspection to ascertain compliance with published Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Rules and Regulations. Inspections are scheduled following the guidelines of an administrative inspection scheduling plan approved by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration and in accordance with established priorities. Those priorities are: (1) imminent danger conditions; (2) catastrophes/fatalities/ serious injuries; (3) employee complaints; (4) target industry inspections; and (5) follow-up inspections. If violations are found, a citation will be issued specifying abatement dates for all violations. A monetary penalty may also be assessed. Criminal penalties including imprisonment and fines also may be assessed for knowing or willful violations.
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