What Minnesota’s Paid Family Leave Means for Employers (and What to Do Now)

In 2026, Minnesota is joining a growing number of states offering Paid Family Leave (PFL) to employees. Starting January 1, 2026, eligible employees will be able to take up to 24 weeks of combined paid leave for bonding with a new child, caring for a family member with a serious health condition, or dealing with their own serious medical issues.

🔍 What You Need to Know

Who’s Covered

• Businesses with one or more employees are covered (yes—even you!)

• Employees are eligible after working at least 820 hours in the last year

Key Benefits

• 12 weeks per year for family leave (parenting, qualifying conditions)

• 12 weeks per year for individual serious health conditions

• Can be taken consecutively or intermittently

Pay Structure

• Benefit paid at up to 80% of employee wage, with a weekly max

• Funded by a small payroll tax shared between employee and employer

🧩 What Employers Need to Do Now

1. Track Employee Eligibility: Start logging hours toward the 820-hour requirement now, so you’re ready when 2026 rolls around.

2. Prepare Policies & Procedures

   • Update your employee handbook to include PFL policies

   • Create clear processes for submitting leave requests, tracking usage, and maintaining communication

3. Plan for Payroll Integration: Work with your payroll provider to calculate tax deductions and ensure correct benefit payments

4. Communicate with Your Team: Share key details—who’s eligible, how to file, what’s covered—well before the start date

5. Train ManagersEquip leaders with tools to support leaves: handling requests, planning for coverage, and managing intermittent leave

   
   

✅ Timeline for Preparation

📈 Why It Matters

Minnesota’s PFL helps families thrive—and employers too. A supportive leave policy:

• Reduces turnover and improves employee engagement

• Strengthens your reputation as a thoughtful, responsible employer

• Protects your business from non-compliance fines

  
  

🛠 How People Solutions Hub Can Help

• Benefit planning: Budgeting and forecasting payroll impacts

• Policy development: Custom handbook language and leave procedures

• Payroll setup & compliance: Integration support and audit prep

• Manager training: Supervisor skills for request handling and coverage planning

Ready to Begin?

The clock is ticking! Let’s connect to get your Minnesota PFL strategy in place well ahead of 2026. Schedule a free consultation or drop me a note at psolutionshub@gmail.com.