Minnesota Paid Leave: What Employers Need to Do Before December 1, 2025

Minnesota’s new Paid Leave program begins January 1, 2026, and the state now requires all employers to notify each employee in writing before the program starts. This applies to every business with Minnesota employees — no exceptions.

What is Required?

Employers must provide each worker with a Paid Leave notice that explains:

• What the program covers

• How premiums are split between employer and employee

• The total payroll premium that will be deducted

The notice must be given directly to each employee by December 1, 2025, and employers must keep documentation showing that each employee received it.

Small Employer Definition

Most of our clients qualify as small employers, which the state defines as:

• Fewer than 30 employees, and

• Less than $3 million in annual payroll

Small employers use the 0.66% premium rate, rather than the standard 0.88%.

Premium Split Options

The law requires:

• Employers must pay at least 0.22%, and

• Employees can be charged up to 0.44% through payroll deductions

This adds up to the small-employer total of 0.66%.

Employers can choose to cover more than 0.22% if they wish — but not less.

Where to Get the Required Forms

The state provides two fillable notice templates (standard and small employer).
You can download them here:

• Minnesota Paid Leave employer notice forms:
  https://paidleave.mn.gov  (navigate to “Employer Resources” → “Required Notices”)

• Direct link to sample employee notice:
  https://mn.gov/deed/paid-leave 

(If you prefer, replace these with the exact URL once the state posts final forms.)

What Employers Must Do

1. Download the small-employer version (0.66%).

2. Fill in the premium split (minimum 0.22% employer / 0.44% employee).

3. Add business information.

4. Provide the notice to every employee (paper or electronic).

5. Have each employee acknowledge receipt (signature or electronic confirmation).

6. Keep a copy for your records.

If you need help filling out the form or confirming your premium split, our team is happy to assist.