As a result of identical ordinances passed by both City Councils, workers in the Twin Cities became entitled to paid sick time leave on July 1st of this year. While the state legislature tried to protect employers, businesses are now required to offer employees one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. The Minneapolis ordinance allows companies with five or fewer workers to offer unpaid time, but St. Paul does not offer this exemption. Overall, employees can accrue up to 48 hours per year and roll that over to the next year.
Time off can be used for illness or medical care of the employee or family, a closure of daycare facilities or schools and for counseling, legal support or related services due to an incident of domestic or sexual violence.