 Paid Leave Updates - August 2024
Implementation Update
Minnesota 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
First Employer Deadline: Wage Detail Reporting
With the arrival of the State Fair comes the unofficial start of fall in Minnesota, which means the first Paid Leave deadline for employers is around the corner.
To determine eligibility and benefit payments for Minnesotans when Paid Leave launches in January 2026, Minnesota employers need to begin to submit report wage details for their employees by October 31, 2024. Paid Leave will use the same online reporting system as Unemployment Insurance (UI) to make things easier for employers.
No additional steps are needed from Minnesota employers if all of their employees are covered by UI, as the same account and quarterly wage detail reports will serve Paid Leave. If an employer has some or all of their employees not covered by UI they may need to create an account to submit wage details by October 31, 2024.
For more information visit the UI website: Unemployment Insurance Minnesota (uimn.org)
Greater Minnesota Roadshow
In the last month, Minnesota Paid Leave hit the road in Greater Minnesota to share updates and answer questions about employer roles and responsibilities under the new state program. We are grateful to the Minnesota Chamber Foundation and our local chamber partners for hosting us at this series of local meetings.
Paid Leave Director Greg Norfleet takes questions from employers at an engagement session in St. Cloud.
-
Morris, September 5, 10:00 a.m.
-
Worthington (English language), September 11, 1:00 p.m.
-
Worthington (Spanish language), September 11, 3:15 p.m.
-
Austin, September 18, 10:00 a.m.
-
Virginia, September 24, 12:00 p.m.
-
Mankato, September 26, 1:00 p.m.
Hiring Spotlight
The 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.
The Minnesota Paid Leave team in March 2024
The Paid Leave team in August 2024.
Consider joining our team! You can always find our latest open roles on our website.
Top Questions We're Hearing
-
What is wage detail reporting and why is it necessary for Paid Leave?
Every quarter, employers are required to submit a report to the state that details wages paid to their employees. After benefits begin in 2026, this information will determine the premiums paid by employers and employees, and the eligibility and benefit amount for individuals under Paid Leave.
- How will employers submit wage detail reports for Paid Leave?
To make things easier for employers, the Paid Leave division will use the existing Unemployment Insurance (UI) system to collect quarterly wage detail reports for Paid Leave. If all of an employer’s employees are covered by UI, that employer will not need to take any new action – the employer’s existing UI account has already been converted to a joint UI and Paid Leave account, and their quarterly wage detail reports will now serve both UI and Paid Leave
.
-
What do organizations not covered by Unemployment Insurance need to do for wage detail reporting?
For organizations whose employees are not covered by the Unemployment Insurance program, employers will need to set up a Paid Leave Only account through the UI online system. Employers can register for a Paid Leave Only account here: Unemployment Insurance Minnesota (uimn.org). Additional technical assistance is available from experienced UI staff for account setup.
-
Some employers have some, but not all, of their employees covered by Unemployment Insurance. How should these employers report wage detail?
Some employers have some, but not all, of their employees covered by Unemployment Insurance. For employees covered by both UI and Paid Leave, a joint UI and Paid Leave account has already been created for these employers. For other employees not covered by UI, employers will need to also need to create a Paid Leave Only account. Once these employers have both accounts created, they will submit a separate wage detail report each quarter: one for employees covered by UI and Paid Leave through their joint account, and one for employees covered by Paid Leave Only.
- Do employers need to pay premiums for Paid Leave when submitting wage detail reports?
No, the first premiums are not due until April 30, 2026, after the program launches, based on wages paid between January 1, 2026 and March 31, 2026.
-
When is the first quarterly wage detail report due for Paid Leave?
The first reports are due on October 31, 2024 based on wages paid between July 1, 2024, and September 30, 2024.
For More Information
You can find FAQs for employers, individuals, and families on our webpage here.
To register your Paid Leave Only or joint UI and Paid Leave account to prepare for wage detail reporting, 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 registering your Paid Leave Only or joint UI and Paid Leave account for wage detail reporting, contact the Unemployment Insurance employer helpline.
|
