Family and Medical Leave Policy
(with Acknowledgment) (MN)

Summary

This template is a family and medical leave policy that sets forth the rights and obligations of employees taking family and medical leave from a Minnesota employer under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). It is intended for private employers. Employers may include this policy in an employee handbook or distribute it as a standalone policy. The template's language complies with Minnesota and federal law. It does not differ from the non-jurisdictional Family and Medical Leave Policy (with Acknowledgment). The drafting notes and alternate clauses in this policy address issues under both Minnesota and federal law. Note that effective January 1, 2026, the Minnesota Paid Leave law requires employers to provide up to 20 weeks of family and medical leave to eligible employees. Minn. Stat. § 268B.04, Subd. 5. Employers may require that leave taken under the Paid Leave program run concurrently with leave taken for the same purpose under the FMLA. Minn. Stat. § 268B.27. Qualified leave includes: • Medical leave, for an employee's mental or physical illness or treatment • Family care leave, for a family member's mental or physical illness or treatment • Safety leave, for the employee or a family member who is a victim of domestic assault, sexual abuse, or stalking • Parental leave, for bonding with a new child after birth, foster, or adoption • Active duty leave, to support a family member on active military duty or notified of impending order • Medical care related to pregnancy Minn. Stat. § 268B.06; Minn. Stat. § 268B.01. This template does not address pregnancy-related leave. For information on pregnancy-related leave, see Pregnancy Discrimination Act: Compliance Tips and Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation (KY) — Pregnancy-Related Protections. For pregnancy and parental leave policies, see Pregnancy and Parental Leave Policy (with Acknowledgment). For information on drafting pregnancy and parental leave policies, see Pregnancy and Parental Leave Policy Checklist. For a full listing of key content that can be used by in-house counsel to develop, revise, and implement a company's employee and third-party-related policies, see In-House Company Policies Resource Kit. For a full listing of key content covering leaves for employees, see Leaves for Employees Resource Kit. For a full listing of key content covering employee handbook considerations, see Employee Handbook Resource Kit. For more information on family and medical leave in Minnesota, see Leave Law (MN) — Family and Medical Leave and Flexible Leave, FMLA Leave: Guidance for Employers and Employees — FMLA Leave: Employer Coverage, Employee Eligibility, and Qualifying Bases, FMLA Leave: Guidance for Employers and Employees — FMLA Employer Rights and Obligations, and FMLA Leave: Guidance for Employers and Employees — FMLA Employee Notice Requirements and Medical Certification Obligations.