Job protections under Minnesota Paid Leave

All workers in Minnesota are protected by labor laws. The Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) will not ask about immigration status and will not report immigration status to other government agencies.

Todos los trabajadores en Minnesota están protegidos por las leyes laborales. El Departamento de Trabajo e Industria (DLI) no preguntará sobre el estatus migratorio ni reportará el estatus migratorio a otras agencias gubernamentales.

Have questions about applying for Paid Leave or how the program works? Contact Minnesota Paid Leave at the Department of Employment and Economic Development at 651-556-7777 or visit mn.gov/deed/paidleave/about/contact-us.

What is Minnesota Paid Leave?

Starting Jan. 1, 2026, Minnesota Paid Leave will offer payments and job protections to people who need time away from work for their own health or to care for a family member. Paid Leave helps Minnesotans stay financially stable while caring for their own well-being or being there for the people they love.

DLI’s Labor Standards Division is here to ensure employers comply with the job protections required under Minnesota Paid Leave. For any other questions related to Minnesota Paid Leave, including how to apply for benefits or whether you are eligible, contact the program at 651-556-7777, or visit mn.gov/deed/paidleave/about/contact-us. 

What job protections do I have when taking Minnesota Paid Leave?

It is against the Minnesota Paid Leave law for employers to:

• retaliate against employees for requesting or obtaining benefits or leave under Paid Leave;

• interfere with an employee’s application for benefits or leave under Paid Leave;

• have their employees waive their rights to benefits or leave under Paid Leave;

• collect any debts from employees via the benefits employee receives from Paid Leave;

• fail to pay their portion of employee insurance benefits while an employee is out on Paid Leave;

• fail to reinstate an employee to the same or similar position (regarding benefits, pay, duties and other terms and conditions of employment) at the end of an employee’s Paid Leave; or

• overcharge an employee for the Paid Leave premium by either:

  1. deducting more than 50% of the total premium payment from an employee’s wages; or

  2. deducting premiums that take an employee’s wages below minimum wage.

How do I make a complaint against my employer?

If you think your employer is violating your rights by not returning you to the same or similar job after your leave, not providing continued insurance or retaliating against you for applying for or receiving Minnesota Paid Leave, contact Labor Standards at dli.laborstandards@state.mn.us or 651-284-5075. 

For all other inquiries related to paid leave, contact the program at 651-556-7777 or complete an online form.

Remedies

Employers who violate the job protections provisions of Minnesota Paid Leave may be liable for damages, interest, liquidated damages, injunctive and other equitable relief. In addition, penalties of $1,000 to $10,000 per violation may be assessed against employers who retaliate or interfere in an employee’s right to request or obtain Paid Leave benefits.

Helpful links

• Minnesota Paid Leave:  For questions about applying for paid leave or understanding benefits, visit mn.gov/deed/paidleave/about/contact-us or call 651-556-7777.

• Retaliation:  Learn how to file a complaint regarding workplace retaliation at  dli.mn.gov/retaliation.

• Earned sick and safe time:  Find information about your rights to earned sick and safe time at sickleave.mn.gov.

• Pregnancy and parental leave (unpaid):  Find details about unpaid pregnancy and parental leave at dli.mn.gov/newparents.