Beginning January 1, 2026, Minnesota’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program will take effect. This statewide benefit will provide income replacement for workers needing time away from work for major life events—such as welcoming a new child, recovering from a serious illness, or caring for a loved one.
The Cannon Falls Chamber will continue to monitor updates and share resources to help your business prepare for implementation
What accounts will I need as an employer for Paid Leave?
As an employer, you will need accounts with both Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Minnesota Paid Leave to meet your responsibilities under Paid Leave. These accounts will allow you to report wage details, pay premiums, review leave applications, and more. They will make it easier to support your employees during important times in their lives.
Here’s how these two accounts will work together.
- UI account:
- Report quarterly wage details
- Pay Paid Leave premiums
- Designate a Paid Leave Administrator
- Paid Leave Administrator account:
- Review leave applications
- View Paid Leave determinations
- Request an Equivalent Plan Exemption
When do I need to take action to be ready for Paid Leave?
Today, employers should make sure they are set up with their UI accounts so they can submit wage detail reports each quarter.
Soon, employers will be able to request an equivalent plan if they want one, apply for certain positions to be designated as exempt seasonal hospitality work, or opt into the program if they are self-employed.
By December 1, 2025, employers need to notify employees about the program with a workplace poster and individual notice.
In 2026, employers will begin to collect and pay premiums and review leave applications from their employees.