Posted May 6th, 2016 in Top Stories

UPDATE: New Minneapolis Paid Sick Leave Ordinance Proposed

The City of Minneapolis officially introduced the paid sick leave ordinance for Minneapolis employees, and if adopted, will be effective July 1, 2017. The proposal affects all employees who perform full-time, temporary, and part-time work within the city boundaries – excluding independent contractors, certain construction workers, and casual health care providers, as defined by the ordinance. For employers, the proposal applies to Minneapolis companies with six or more employees as well as non-Minneapolis employers whose employees work at least 80 hours in the city during the calendar year. The proposal will require employers to: allow employees to accrue paid sick leave at the rate of one hour per 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours per year; and carry over up to 80 hours of unused sick time from one year to the next. After 90 days of employment, or enactment of the ordinance, leave may be used for an illness, injury, health condition, or preventative care; care for a family member for the same reasons; domestic violence or personal safety issues; certain business closures by order of a public official; and care for a child whose school or place of care has been closed by order of a public official. “Significantly, employers who already provide sick and safe time under a paid time off policy or other paid leave policy that meets or exceeds the minimum standards of the new law, will not need to provide additional sick and safe leave. However, they will want to ensure compliance with the remaining portions of the proposed ordinance, including the notice and recordkeeping requirements” said Nilan Johnson Lewis attorney Lisa Schmid, who counsels employers on labor and employment matters, including leave laws. “I fully expect this proposed ordinance, or a similar ordinance, to be adopted in the near future, so employers may want to start assessing potential compliance issues now.” Contact Lisa Schmid to discuss the new proposed ordinance at 612.305.7549 or lschmid@nilanjohnson.com. For media inquiries, contact Aaron Berstler at 651.789.1264 or aaron@kohnstamm.com.