Minnesota Paid Leave
Starting January 1, 2026, Minnesota Paid Leave will ensure that individuals can take time off work with financial payments and job protections during critical life events. The program offers two types of leave:
- Medical Leave: for an employee’s own serious health needs.
- Family Leave: To care for a loved one.
Workers can take up to 12 weeks of Family or Medical Leave in one benefit year, or up to 20 weeks total if they qualify for both types of leave in the same year.
Employers have the option to meet their Paid Leave responsibilities by providing their employees with an equivalent private plan instead of participating in the state program. An approved equivalent plan must meet or exceed the coverage offered by Minnesota Paid Leave. Specifically, it must:
- Offer the same or better coverage than the state plan.
- Not cost workers more than they would contribute to the state plan.
- Provide the same job protections as the state plan.
An equivalent plan can cover both Family and Medical Leave, or just one type. If an employer offers a private plan for only one type of leave (e.g., Medical), they must still pay premiums and participate in the state program to cover the other type (e.g., Family).
Posting Requirement
Employers providing paid leave through an approved equivalent plan must display this Minnesota Paid Leave Equivalent Plan Poster in the workplace. The poster must be in English and any other language spoken by five or more employees. By December 1, 2025, employers must directly inform all employees about their rights and benefits under the Paid Leave Program. (Minn. Stat. § 268B.26)
Please contact us if you require a poster in another language.
