Important Update: Minnesota Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) Obligations
The law goes into effect on January 1, 2024, and requires Minnesota employers to offer paid leave to employees.
A few clarifying points about the upcoming Minnesota Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) Law:
The requirement extends to all workers (full-time, part-time, year-round, and seasonal/temporary). Therefore, your foreign H-2 workers will be entitled to these benefits.
The ESST entitlement is accrued at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours an employee works, to a maximum of 48 hours per year. Unless you front-load the hours, you must allow unused hours to carry over into the following year (to a total maximum accrual of 80 hours per year).
If you already have an existing leave policy in place, such as PTO, it might already satisfy the ESST law's requirements.
To ensure a comprehensive understanding of this law, Minnesota-based employers and employees are invited to attend an informational webinar detailing the ESST's specifics. The webinars are scheduled for Oct. 5, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., and Oct. 11, from 2 to 3 p.m. Kindly note that both sessions will offer identical content. To register, please visit dli.mn.gov/events. Additionally, below are links to helpful FAQs; questions and responses include example scenarios and different options employers may take to implement the law in their workplaces including accrual, front loading, and carryover provisions. We encourage you to review these resources carefully to better understand your obligations.
Minnesota Earned Sick and Safe Time Video Overview
Minnesota ESST Basic Information
Minnesota ESST General Questions
Minnesota ESST Earning Hours: Accrual, front-loading and carryover