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ARTICLE · 20 JULY 2026

New Rules Clarify Minnesota Earned Sick And Safe Time Statute

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Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry has enacted numerous rules interpreting Minnesota’s earned sick and safe time (ESST) requirements.

United StatesEmployment and HR
Rebecca J. Bernhard
Rebecca J. Bernhard
Jennifer Service
Jennifer Service
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Highlights

  • Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry has enacted numerous rules interpreting Minnesota’s earned sick and safe time (ESST) requirements.
  • Topics covered include accrual, eligibility, usage, and documentation.
  • Employers should review their ESST program and policies to ensure they are compliant. 

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry adopted a series of rules, effective July 6, 2026, interpreting Minnesota’s ESST statute. The rules, available in “Adopted permanent rules relating to earned sick and safe time,” do not change the statute but provide interpretive details that may affect how an employer administers ESST. The main points of the rules are summarized in this update but, for detailed and situation-specific analysis, employers should consult employment counsel.

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