Paid Leave Updates – January 2025

Implementation UpdateMinnesota will be the 13th state to launch a statewide Paid Leave program. We’re committed to collaborating with stakeholders to build an intuitive and accessible Paid Leave program that works for businesses, individuals, healthcare providers, and all Minnesotans.
Upcoming Webinars: Learn more about Paid Leave!Join us for a new webinar series to understand how Paid Leave will work and how it can help Minnesotans and businesses. In each monthly session, learn about:

• ​Who’s covered: Understand eligibility for Paid Leave. 
• ​Types of leave: Learn about medical and family leave. 
• ​Employer responsibilities: Learn key steps employers need to take to comply with Paid Leave. 
• ​Tools & Resources: Access helpful materials and interact directly with program staff.  

Next webinar: Wednesday February 12, 2025
12:00pm-1:00pm CT
 Register here:
Intro to Paid Leave WebinarBuilding Paid Leave in the communityOur team is working to build Paid Leave with Minnesota workers, employers and other stakeholders across the state. We regularly meet with interested groups to share more about Paid Leave and gather input to make the program work for all Minnesotans.
Here are some of the connections Paid Leave made with Minnesotans this month.

•  One Dream, One Minnesota Career Fair: Paid Leave staff met with hundreds of Minnesotans at the One Dream, One Minnesota Career Fair to share about the exciting opportunities to join our team.
  
  
•  Minnesota Insurance & Financial Services Council: Paid Leave staff met with insurance industry representatives to share an update and gather input on how equivalent plan exemptions will work under the program.
  
  
•  Wilder African American Babies Coalition: The Wilder Foundation invited Paid Leave staff to meet with their African American Babies Coalition this month to discuss how the program can best reach and serve their communities.

Have an event you’d like Paid Leave to join? Fill out the event request form on our website: Public events / Minnesota Paid Leave  
Hiring SpotlightThe Minnesota Paid Leave team is growing fast. We are a start-up in state government and are actively hiring for leaders to deliver on the promises of the legislation.

• Contact Center Supervisor (Apply by February 6, 2025)
• Claims Adjudication Supervisor (Apply by February 3, 2025)

Consider joining our team! You can always find our latest open roles on our website.
Paid Leave at the One Dream, One Minnesota Career Fair
Top Questions We're Hearing

• Will both parents be able to take bonding leave under the Paid Leave program, even if they work for the same employer?
  Bonding leave can be taken by both parents within 12 months of a birth, adoption, or foster placement. Parents do not have to split leave time, and they can set different schedules for their leave. Each parent would be eligible for up to 12 weeks of family leave to bond with a new child.
• Where can employers learn more about equivalent plans for Paid Leave?
  Employers can choose to meet their responsibilities under Minnesota Paid Leave by providing employees an equivalent plan that meets or exceeds the coverage offered by the state.
  Employers approved for an equivalent plan will not pay premiums to the state but have other obligations under Minnesota Paid Leave. Employers must still submit wage detail reports to the state each quarter and comply with requirements to notify employees about coverage.
  Employers can begin to apply with the state for an equivalent plan exemption in the spring of 2025. Additional information is available on the Equivalent plans for paid leave page.
• What are the next steps for Paid Leave rulemaking?
  The comment period closed on the final proposed rules for Paid Leave on January 3, 2025. Paid Leave staff are reviewing comments received and will soon submit final rules to the Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH). Timeline for adoption is dependent on OAH review. 

For More InformationYou can find more information for employers, individuals, and families on our webpage here.
For more information on UI and Paid Leave employer accounts, visit the Unemployment Insurance website.
Still Have Questions?If you have a Paid Leave question that isn’t yet answered on our website, please submit your question here.
If you need help with your Paid Leave Only or Joint UI/Paid Leave account, contact the Unemployment Insurance employer helpline.