Earned Sick and Safe Time: A Victory for Minnesota Workers and Families
No worker should have to choose between their health and their paycheck. Minnesota's Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) law represents an important step toward protecting workers and supporting families across the state.
Effective January 1, 2024, the law requires Minnesota employers to provide eligible employees with paid sick and safe time.
Under the law, employees earn at least one hour of paid sick and safe time for every 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours each year, unless their employer provides a more generous benefit.
This time can be used for qualifying situations, including personal illness, medical appointments, caring for family members, and certain safety-related emergencies.
For working-class families, access to paid leave can help reduce the financial pressure of missing work when unexpected health or family situations arise.
The legislation is especially meaningful for workers who may have previously lacked access to paid time off.
At Fe y Justicia, we believe that protecting workers also means protecting their families and communities. Access to earned sick and safe time is an important part of creating fairer workplaces where people are treated with dignity and respect.
We celebrate this legislation as a meaningful achievement for workers throughout Minnesota and an important reminder of the value of strong workplace protections.
