Job protection

While on Paid Leave, you have several important rights and protections.

• You keep your position at your job. This means you have the right to be restored to the same, or an equivalent, position when you return from leave.
• You keep your benefits and maintain coverage. This means that if your employer provides benefits like health insurance, life insurance, or retirement benefit accrual, you have the right to keep your coverage while on leave. Your employer must continue to pay health insurance premiums, and you will continue to pay your portion as if you were working.
• Your employer cannot punish you for taking leave or applying for leave. This means that your employer cannot retaliate against you for taking leave. Your employer cannot fire you, demote you, cut your hours, or discipline you because you took or requested leave under this program. Paid Leave cannot be counted against you for promotions or layoffs. Employers cannot interfere with or restrain your right to take Paid Leave.

Taking Paid Leave is not a career setback. Communicate clearly with your employer about your leave timing and return date. They may hire a temporary replacement worker or redistribute your duties while you're gone, but they must allow you to return to your role after your leave.

If you think your employer is violating your rights by not returning you to the same or similar job after your leave, not providing continued insurance, or retaliating against you for applying for or receiving paid leave, contact the Labor Standards Division at the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry at dli.laborstandards@state.mn.us or 651-284-5075. For all other inquiries related to Paid Leave, please, contact us.