New Laws Make MN the Best State for Workers and Their Families

As we celebrate working people’s contributions this Labor Day, I want to highlight the new Minnesota workplace laws passed this year that make Minnesota the best state for workers and their families.

These new provisions expand worker protections, increase worker knowledge and allow workers to have a greater voice in the workplace.

On January 1, 2024, statewide Earned Sick and Safe Time will take effect and all Minnesota workers will have access to paid time off to take care of themselves or a family member. Under the law, employees statewide will earn one hour of sick and safe time for every 30 hours worked and accrue up to 48 hours of sick time each year unless the employer agrees to a higher amount. Workers will be able to take time off without the risk of losing their job for their or a family members’ mental or physical illness, absence due to personal safety concerns, or when work, school or daycare has been closed due to inclement weather.

Minnesota is also the 13th state to institute a Paid Family and Medical Leave Program. This program will launch January 1, 2026, and ensures workers have access to paid leave from work during certain key life events, such as time to recover from one’s own serious health condition, to care for a family member or a new child, for certain military-related events or for certain personal safety issues.

Updates to the Women’s Economic Security Act expands lactating employees’ right to express milk in the workplace and the right of pregnant employees to request and receive a pregnancy accommodation from employers of all sizes. Under the new law, all Minnesota employees now have a right to up to 12 weeks of job-protected unpaid pregnancy and parental leave, regardless of the size of their employer or how long they have worked for that employer.

Under the new Construction Worker Wage Protection Act, construction workers can now seek their unpaid wages from owners and general contractors in addition to or instead of the subcontractor that failed to pay all wages owed.

Another new law bans non-compete agreements. This change ensures workers have the freedom to seek better working conditions and higher wages without restrictions.

As for protecting workers’ health and safety, our state’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration Compliance program will establish a new, first-in-the-nation Ergonomics Program to reduce the risk of workplace ergonomic injuries at warehouse distribution centers and meatpacking sites with 100 or more employees, as well as at hospitals, outpatient surgical centers and nursing homes.

To increase worker training and safety, a new law requires owners of petroleum refineries to use a skilled and trained workforce — using apprenticeship requirements — when contracting for certain work.

New worker safety requirements for warehouse distribution centers provide workers with access to information and require our agency to open investigations into warehouse distribution centers when injury rates warrant such scrutiny. 

The new Safe Workplaces for Meat and Poultry Processing Workers Act promotes the better treatment of meat processing workers. Updates to the Agricultural and Food Processing Workers Law, the Migrant Labor Law and the Packinghouse Workers Bill of Rights will ensure more workers are protected and aware of their workplace rights.

A new Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board will set minimum standards necessary to protect the health and welfare of nursing home workers and better serve the vulnerable Minnesotans being cared for in these facilities.

These new laws support Minnesota workers and truly make Minnesota the best state for workers and their families.