 Paid Leave updates for employers
September 2025
Starting in January 2026, Paid Leave will ensure Minnesotans can take the time they need to be there for some of life's most important moments – like welcoming a child, recovering from a serious illness, or caring for a loved one.
We’re working with stakeholders to build Paid Leave in a way that works for businesses, individuals, healthcare providers, and all Minnesotans.
100 days until Paid Leave
Paid Leave is officially less than 100 days away from launch. As an employer, you play an important role in helping your employees learn about and access Minnesota Paid Leave.
- Set up your accounts
- Notify your employees
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Set workplace policies
Take these steps today so that your organization is ready when Paid Leave launches on January 1, 2026. For more information about how to prepare and tools to help, visit mn.gov/deed/paidleave/employers/prepare.
Today: Designate a Paid Leave Administrator
The most important thing to do today is to get your accounts ready for Paid Leave. You will need your Employer Account (at uimn.org) and a Paid Leave Administrator Account (at paidleave.mn.gov).
Log in to your Employer Account at uimn.org to designate a Paid Leave Administrator. This person will be your organization’s main contact with the Paid Leave division. You can designate one person or several people, depending on what works for your business. You can find a step-by-step guide at uimn.org/employers/paid-leave.
After you designate an Administrator, go to paidleave.mn.gov to create your Paid Leave Administrator Account. You will need this account to review leave applications, view Paid Leave determinations, and more.
Paid Leave hosts a monthly webinar to help Minnesotans understand how Paid Leave will work and how it may benefit you or your organization. Paid Leave also hosts webinars on specific topics, like one last month on employer accounts and responsibilities under Paid Leave. Can’t make it to a webinar? Recordings from past events are available on our website: Public engagement events / Minnesota Paid Leave
Under Paid Leave, you must notify your employees about Paid Leave in two ways:
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A workplace poster (PDF), displayed in English and any other language spoken by five or more employees or independent contractors.
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An individual notice (Word Doc) in the employee’s primary language.
When the program begins, employers must give this notice by December 1, 2025. Employees must acknowledge that they received the notice, or you must be able to demonstrate how they were notified.
Employer engagement sessions kick off
Minnesota Paid Leave is partnering with local chambers of commerce for a series of regional, in-person engagement sessions for employers this fall. We will provide an overview of the program, share recent updates, and answer your questions. Learn how to set up your Paid Leave accounts, designate a Paid Leave Administrator, and make key decisions that will shape how Paid Leave works in your organization.
So far, we have been to Moorhead, Wilmar, Worthington and Saint Cloud.
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Updated tax guidance published
This month, Paid Leave published updated guidance on how the program will be treated for state and federal tax purposes. The guidance covers different situations including taxes for payments to workers and the premiums paid by both employers and employees.
Follow the link below to learn more.
Upcoming webinars: learn more about Paid Leave!
Paid Leave hosts a monthly webinar to help Minnesotans understand how Paid Leave will work and how it may benefit you or your organization. Paid Leave also hosts webinars on specific topics, like one last month on employer accounts and responsibilities under Paid Leave. Can’t make it to a webinar? Recordings from past events are available on our website: Public engagement events / Minnesota Paid Leave
📆 Thursday October 9, 2025
Virtual: Preparing Health Providers for Paid Leave
📆 Thursday October 9, 2025
Healthcare providers play an important role in helping patients access Minnesota's new Paid Leave program which launches in January 2026. Minnesota is also home to a robust healthcare sector, with systems and settings large and small employing a range of professionals. To help providers and healthcare HR professionals prepare, Paid Leave staff are partnering with the Minnesota Hospital Association for a webinar that will delve into the medical certification process as well as employer account creation, leave administration, and equivalent plan substitutions.
Virtual: Preparing Employers for Paid Leave Webinar
📆 Monday, October 27, 2025
As an employer, you play an important role in helping your employees learn about and access Minnesota Paid Leave. At this virtual event, we will provide an overview of the program, answer your questions, and help you get ready to meet your responsibilities under Paid Leave.
Virtual: Nueva Ley de Ausencias Remuneradas: Lo Que Debe Saber
📆 Martes, 14 de Octubre de 2025
A partir de enero de 2026, el programa de Ausencia Remunerada garantizará que los habitantes de Minnesota puedan tomarse el tiempo que necesiten para estar presentes en algunos de los momentos más importantes de la vida, como dar la bienvenida a un(a) hijo(a) a la familia, recuperarse de una enfermedad grave o cuidar de un ser querido. Tanto los empleadores como los empleados desempeñan un papel importante en el programa.
En esta sesión, ofreceremos una descripción general del programa, compartiremos actualizaciones recientes, responderemos a sus preguntas y lo ayudaremos a preparase para cumplir con sus responsabilidades bajo las Ausencias Remuneradas.
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. Consider joining our team!
Top questions we're hearing
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What is the deadline to request an Equivalent Plan Substitution? Employers can submit a request at any time, and they will be reviewed and approved on a rolling basis.
An equivalent plan can take effect at the start of any quarter. It is best to submit your request as soon as it is ready, ideally one quarter before you want the plan to take effect. This will allow time for the Paid Leave team to review your request and for you to provide any additional information or documentation that may be required. It will also ensure you have time to notify your employees.
If you want your plan to be in place when the program launches on January 1, 2026, you should submit your request by November 10, 2025.
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When will premium collection and payment begin?
Paid Leave is paid for by premiums on employee wages, split between the employer and employees. Employers can begin to deduct the employee share of the premium on January 1, 2026, when benefits become available. Employers will pay the first premiums to the State of Minnesota's Department of Employment and Economic Development by April 30, 2026. First premiums will be based on wages paid from January 1, 2026 to March 31, 2026.
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Are any employers exempt from Paid Leave?
Paid Leave covers most Minnesota employers with one or more employees, with exceptions for employees of tribal nations or the federal government.
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How does Paid Leave work for small employers?
Small businesses with 30 or fewer employees will be eligible for reduced premiums and may be eligible for small business assistance funding to hire temporary workers or to increase an existing worker's wages. Learn more about Paid Leave for small employers.
For more information
You can find more information for employers, individuals, and families on our webpage here.
Still have questions?
If you have a Paid Leave question that isn’t yet answered on our website, please submit your question here.
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