In the upcoming year, Minnesota workers without existing paid time off or sick leave will have the opportunity to accrue hours under a new state law. This legislation, an extension of sick and safe time standards, allows employees to accumulate one hour of time off for every 30 hours worked, with a cap set at a minimum of 48 hours. Notably, the provision is applicable to part-time workers as well.
While some businesses express support for this development, the National Federation of Independent Business in Minnesota voices concerns, viewing it as an additional burden on enterprises already grappling with challenges.
John Reynolds, the state director for the National Federation of Independent Businesses in Minnesota, highlights the perceived complexities of compliance with the regulation. He states, “I think that the two biggest impacts include the burden of complying with this regulation, which is much more complicated than it appears. Also the cost, you have to pay extra and you have to find replacements to keep your business open.”
Reynolds emphasizes that this new requirement arrives at a challenging time for businesses navigating post-pandemic recovery and grappling with record inflation. According to him, businesses faced significant hardships during pandemic closures and are now contending with unprecedented inflation and a severe worker shortage.
Contrastingly, some business owners see the change as beneficial, not only for their employees but for the business itself. Daniel Swenson-Klatt, owner of Butter Bakery Cafe in Minneapolis, has been implementing a sick time policy for years and sees it as a valuable recruitment tool for small businesses. He notes that this levels the playing field, as larger businesses have had similar policies in place for an extended period.
While local ordinances related to sick and safe time standards already exist in Bloomington, Duluth, Minneapolis, and Saint Paul, the new law expands on these requirements. However, Reynolds maintains reservations, citing the policy’s perceived complexity and the need for clarification on various aspects.