Takeaways
- Starting 01.01.26, Minnesota’s Paid Leave law provides employees up to 20 weeks of leave for qualifying reasons. The law includes immediate requirements for posting and individual notice.
- Minneapolis and Saint Paul recently amended their Earned Sick and Safe Time ordinances to align more closely with Minnesota’s statewide law. Employees are covered under the city ordinances if they are expected to work at least 80 hours in a year within the respective city’s limits. Employers with employees in Saint Paul also must accommodate leave requests related to harassment, even if such requests would not qualify under state law.
- Employers should review their existing policies now to ensure alignment with the new requirements.
Related links
- Minnesota Paid Leave employer resource toolkit
- Minnesota’s New Paid Family & Medical Leave Law: What Employers Need to Know Before 2026 (webinar)
- The Latest Changes to Minnesota’s Earned Sick and Safe Time Statute
Article
Minnesota employers face new requirements under the state’s Paid Leave law. Employers with employees in Minneapolis and Saint Paul also must comply with those cities’ amendments to their Earned Sick and Safe Time ordinances.
Minnesota Paid Leave
Minnesota’s Paid Leave law takes effect on Jan. 1, 2026. This program provides job protections and partial wage replacement to employees who take leave for qualifying reasons. Eligible employees can take up to 12 weeks of medical leave and up to 12 weeks of family leave within a 12-month period, with a combined maximum of 20 weeks.
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