The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), Minnesota’s leading small business advocacy organization, sent the following statement following the passage of a bill by the Minnesota Senate that includes a provision that seeks to impose a “suitable seating” mandate on all Minnesota employers, regardless of size.

“The suitable seating mandate is a solution in search of a problem. This requirement will lead to compliance uncertainty and will expose small businesses to needless penalties and fines,” said NFIB Minnesota State Director Jon Boesche. “Small businesses are already grappling with a growing list of workplace mandates, most significantly, the Paid Family and Medical Leave mandate. Rather than impose new regulations on small businesses, lawmakers should focus their attention on policies that ease the regulatory burdens facing Main Street businesses.”

The mandate requires all employers to provide “suitable seating” for employees and permit the use of those seats when “the nature of the work reasonably permits.”  “Suitable seating” is defined as an adequate number of chairs, benches, or stools placed in reasonable proximity to where an employee works. Penalties for those who do not comply could add up to $250 per violation.