Special Rules for Employing Corn Detasselers

Corn detasseling in Minnesota usually occurs in July and is often performed by seasonal workers.  Minnesota has several statutes that apply specifically to employers of corn detasselers.  Minnesota’s special requirements for employers of corn detasselers are as follows:

• Every employer of corn detasselers must provide a potable water supply in the field, which is easily accessible to all employees and which may be easily drunk in a sanitary manner.  See Minn. Stat. § 181.84.

• If a corn detasseler is terminated or becomes ill or injured on the job, the employer must provide transportation to the employee from the place of work to the location at which the employee was picked up that day.  The employee must be paid at his or her usual rate of pay from the time of termination, injury, or illness until the employee is returned to the location at which the employee was picked up.  See Minn. Stat. § 181.83.

Takeaway:  Employers of corn detasselers should make sure that they comply with all laws that specifically apply to them.