Starting January 1, 2026, Minnesota’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program will require employers to provide paid leave to employees working in Minnesota. Paid leave benefits will be calculated based on an employee’s weekly pay. This leave also includes job protection for those who need time off for specific situations.
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development allows for two types of leave under PFML:
- Family Leave: Employees who need to care for a family member with a serious health condition or for those bonding with a new child.
- Medical Leave: Employees facing a serious health condition that prevents them from working.
Employees can take up to 20 weeks of leave in a year, with a maximum of 12 weeks per type of leave (family or medical). Like the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), a healthcare provider or authorized professional must certify the need for leave and the duration.
Next Steps: Planning for this new program began shortly after the bill was signed into law in May 2024. During the fall of 2024, a cross-functional team will consult with governance groups, campus leadership, and union representatives while developing the University’s plan to administer the benefit.
More information about program implementation and a benefits calculator will be available on this site after July 2025.
