DEED launches new tools to help Minnesotans get ready for Paid Leave

Contact Center, payment calculator, and employer resources are now live for Minnesotans.

St. Paul, MN – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development today announced Paid Leave is rolling out new tools to help Minnesotans prepare for the program’s launch on Jan. 1.

Paid Leave will offer payments and job protection to workers for some of life’s most important moments, like welcoming a child, recovering from a serious illness or caring for a loved one. New program resources will make it easier for individuals and employers to plan and prepare to take advantage of this new employment benefit.

“Paid Leave will ensure Minnesotans no longer need to choose between their job and caring for themselves or a loved one during life’s most important moments,” said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. “To realize this promise, we are partnering closely with individuals, employers, health care providers and others to ensure the program meets their needs and supports Minnesotans when they need it most.”

 Newly available Paid Leave resources include:

• Paid Leave launched an online payment calculator that workers can use to estimate how much they could receive in payments if approved for benefits. Employers can also use this tool to see how much of an employee’s usual pay they could receive from the state while on leave, helping them decide whether to offer supplemental payments to top off Paid Leave payments. Earlier this year, Paid Leave introduced a calculator that employers and individuals can use to estimate premium costs under the program.

• Paid Leave also recently began answering Minnesotans’ questions through a dedicated Contact Center phone line. Contact Center staff have been answering questions by email for over a year, responding to more than 7,000 direct questions from Minnesotans, with over 90% of questions answered within two days. Since phone support began, approximately half of all questions now come in as calls from individuals and employers on topics like bonding leave for a baby born this year and how to prepare for the new law. Multilingual support is also available by calling the Paid Leave Contact Center. Staff can be reached 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except state holidays, at 651-556-7777 or 844-556-0444 (toll-free).

• A new checklist to help employers prepare for Paid Leave is also now available. This checklist directs employers to additional ways they can learn more and take action, like printing out the new workplace poster they must display. The poster is available in multiple languages today on Paid Leave’s website.

Employers are also encouraged to designate a Paid Leave Administrator and set up their account so they have a point of contact ready to work with Paid Leave on Jan. 1.

“Paid Leave is committed to building this program with Minnesotans through clear communication, helpful resources and continuous improvement,” said Paid Leave Director Greg Norfleet. “These new tools will help Minnesotans get ready for this important new program, and ensure Paid Leave is ready to deliver on day one.”

For more information about Paid Leave, visit paidleave.mn.gov.

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DEED is the state’s principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development. Find out how DEED delivers for Minnesota by visiting the DEED website,  JoinUsMn.com, CareerForceMN.com or follow us on X.

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Upon request, this information can be made available in alternate formats for people with disabilities by contacting the DEED Communications Office at 651-259-7161.