Earned sick and safe time grants awarded

Seven organizations will be awarded grants as part of Minnesota's new earned sick and safe time law, which goes into effect Jan. 1 and requires employers to provide paid leave to employees who work in the state.

The grants will be used to promote education, outreach, communication, engagement and training to build worker and employer understanding about Minnesota laws relating to earned sick and safe time.

The grant funds will be used to educate Minnesota workers about the new earned sick and safe time law through methods that are community-centered, culturally relevant and accessible.

"We are excited to partner with these organizations to engage and share information about the new earned sick and safe time law," said Nicole Blissenbach, Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) commissioner. "This will help ensure more workers, especially those who experience barriers, understand their rights in the workplace."

Earned sick and safe time grants will be awarded to the following seven organizations, which will receive and split $300,000 in funding to be used for programs operating from Oct. 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.

• Centro De Trabajadores Unidos En La Lucha in collaboration with Unidos Minnesota – $100,000

• Minnesota Training Partnership – $65,000

• Restaurant Opportunities Center – Minnesota – $45,000

• Greater Minnesota Worker Center – $35,000

• Minnesota Seeds of Justice – $20,000

• Project FINE – $20,000

• Cancer Legal Care – $15,000

Grants can be used to distribute earned sick and safe time related materials, for advertising, for worker counseling, and to conduct and participate in training sessions, educational events and other types of engagement activities.

For more information about earned sick and safe time, visit www.dli.mn.gov/sick-leave or contact the DLI Labor Standards Division at 651-284-5075 or dli.laborstandards@state.mn.us.