Minnesotans are signing up for the state’s new Paid Leave program. The program allows employees to take up to 12 weeks for either medical or family leave, or a combined 20 weeks for a year.
The Department of Economic and Employment Development reports more than 800 applications were received in the first official day. Add this to the more than 8 thousand applications that came in during the program’s “soft launch.”
DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek says the Paid Leave program is designed to allow employees and employers to continue their working relationship…
“It tends to lead to fewer employees separating and ending their employment relationship with an employer because they don’t have to leave in the absence of some paid time off. In other words, they come back to their employers in greater numbers.”
Many of Minnesota’s GOP leaders say the plan is too costly. Among them is gubernatorial candidate Scott Jensen…
“I don’t think people realize that in order for that program to be administered, the State of Minnesota is hiring 400 full-time employees, and it’s all government funded. Minnesota got along for hundreds of years without that additional cost.”
Deed Deputy Commissioner Evan Rowe says there are safeguards in place to help employers…
“There are small employer assistance grants to help smaller employers in particular with navigating some of those leave transitions. Small employers can be able to apply for funding to offset costs that they may incur with someone taking paid leave.”
Rowe says a single grant could cover up to $3,000 of expenses, and small businesses can request a total of $6,000 in assistance in a calendar year.
(content: in part, courtesy MNN)
