Employer’s Guide to the Minneapolis Paid Sick Leave Ordinance

In May 2016, the City of Minneapolis amended its city ordinances to require nearly all employers to provide employees with a minimum amount of paid sick time. Certain employers are excluded, such as those with 5 or fewer employees.

The law goes into effect on July 1, 2017.

Language of Ordinance

Below are four key provisions of the ordinance.

  • “Employees accrue a minimum of one hour of sick and safe time for every thirty hours worked up to a maximum of forty-eight hours in a calendar or fiscal year.”
  • “Employees may not accrue more than forty-eight hours of accrued sick and safe time in a calendar or fiscal year unless the employer agrees to a higher amount.”
  • “Employers shall permit an employee to carry over accrued but unused sick and safe time into the following year.”
  • “The total amount of accrued but unused sick and safe time for an employee may not exceed eighty hours at any time unless an employer agrees to a higher amount.”

Example of Language to Amend a Sick Leave Policy

Employers should revise their employee handbooks and HR procedures to comply with this new law. Ideally, this would involve correcting policies and procedures that violate the law, but in most circumstances, a provision like this could suffice:

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Company adheres to Chapter 40 of the City of Minneapolis Code of Ordinances relating to Administration (providing a minimum of 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to a maximum of 48 hours per year).

Ensuring Your Company Complies with Minneapolis Employment Law

Employers should talk with their attorney about updating their employee handbooks along with HR policies and procedures. We expect employers will incur the following legal fees:

  1. $500 for minor revisions
  2. $2,000 for major revisions
  3. $2,000-$4,000 for large corporations with complex legal documents

 

Attorney Aaron Hall is well versed in these new laws and would be happy to meet with you to provide a customized quote for your circumstances.