Nearly 60 alumni from Leadership Minnesota toured the Prairie Island nuclear power plant in Red Wing. The program, exclusive to the Minnesota Chamber, provides an inside look at the state's changing economy and the issues that will shape its future. Andrea Walsh (from left), chair-elect of the Minnesota Chamber Board, President David Olson and Board Chair Dave McMillan attended the Governors’ Summit in Washington, D.C., hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The event coincided with the release of the report, “Enterprising States,” which highlights successful state strategies for job creation and economic growth. Businesses leaders provide feedback on Minnesota Chamber legislative initiatives during a regional policy session in Bloomington. Randy Reinke, president and CEO, Custom Products of Litchfield, moderates a Grow Minnesota! panel on how businesses can prepare and maximize their growth as Minnesota emerges from the recession. Andrea Walsh (from left), chair-elect of the Minnesota Chamber Board, President David Olson and Board Chair Dave McMillan attend the Governors’ Summit in Washington, D.C., hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The winning foursome from the 2010 golf tournament held in Duluth at Northland Country Club. From left to right: Rebecca Klett, Lockridge Grindal Nauen P.L.L.P., Tom Reinhart, Kwik Trip, Inc., Steve Lasky, Dairy Queen and Nate Mussell, Lockridge Grindal Nauen P.L.L.P. Andrea Walsh (from left), chair-elect of the Minnesota Chamber Board, President David Olson and Board Chair Dave McMillan attended the Governors’ Summit in Washington, D.C., hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The event coincided with the release of the report, “Enterprising States,” which highlights successful state strategies for job creation and economic growth. Businesses leaders provide feedback on Minnesota Chamber legislative initiatives during a regional policy session in Bloomington. Randy Reinke, president and CEO, Custom Products of Litchfield, moderates a Grow Minnesota! panel on how businesses can prepare and maximize their growth as Minnesota emerges from the recession. Andrea Walsh (from left), chair-elect of the Minnesota Chamber Board, President David Olson and Board Chair Dave McMillan attend the Governors’ Summit in Washington, D.C., hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The winning foursome from the 2010 golf tournament held in Duluth at Northland Country Club. From left to right: Rebecca Klett, Lockridge Grindal Nauen P.L.L.P., Tom Reinhart, Kwik Trip, Inc., Steve Lasky, Dairy Queen and Nate Mussell, Lockridge Grindal Nauen P.L.L.P. Nearly 60 alumni from Leadership Minnesota toured the Prairie Island nuclear power plant in Red Wing. The program, exclusive to the Minnesota Chamber, provides an inside look at the state's changing economy and the issues that will shape its future.

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Whistleblower Act

Issue

Should Minnesota’s Whistleblower Act be limited to situations in which public policy has been violated? Should Minnesota expand whistleblower protection to good-faith private employee statements, regardless of the veracity of the statements?

Policy

The Legislature should require that Whistleblower Act claims involve a violation of public policy. Throughout the years, Minnesota courts have decided cases on both sides of the issue. However, one of the Minnesota Supreme Court’s latest rulings, Marguerite Anderson-Johanningmeier v. Mid-Minnesota Women’s Center, Inc., states that a plaintiff does not have to establish that the reported violation of law implicates public policy. Since this decision will guide future court decisions, the Legislature should amend the Whistleblower Act and make it clear that the act requires reported violations of law to violate the public welfare.

Moreover, the Minnesota Chamber opposes further expansion of Whistleblower protection to good-faith private employee statements to the public (regarding issues like public safety, health or the environment) that the employee believes to be true, regardless of the veracity of the statements. In 2007, legislation was introduced that protected such statements by public and private-sector employees; the bill ultimately was narrowed to exclude its application to the private sector. The Chamber believes that existing whistleblower laws sufficiently protect truthful employee statements.

Business Impact

If the Whistleblower Act remains unchanged, courts will continue to rule that plaintiffs can bring claims under the act even if the alleged violation of law does not concern public policy. That means that every time employees are terminated, employers could potentially face a whistleblower claim. Further, extension of whistleblower protection in the private sector to good-faith employee statements, regardless of their truth, would adversely affect Minnesota’s business climate.  Proprietary information could be exposed, and unwarranted negative publicity could result, if such statements were protected.

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