When and if an employee decides to minimize the DB but not filemaker, they can c all the related DB's. How can i keep them from pulling up an related DB?

Lock them in blank layout.

HTH

When you mean "Lock them in a bland layout" Im assuming that the blank layout is the only layout available to them, as the user.

I usually put a "close window" button in my otherwise "blank" layouts that rather than close the window, hides it. That helps keep users from closing required databases.

Something like that