Paid Leave Workshop

Date & Time:

October 14, 2025 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | SHAKE Room E

Overview

Join us for the Paid Leave Workshop, hosted by the Longfellow Business Association and sponsored by the Lake Street Council. This event brings together HR professionals to guide participants through the process of effectively administering paid leave programs.

While the primary focus is on small businesses with 30 or fewer employees, companies of all sizes are welcome and will benefit from the valuable content.

Purpose

This hands-on workshop is designed to help businesses prepare for the January 1 “go-live” date for paid leave programs. Attendees will gain the knowledge and tools needed to successfully roll out their programs and meet the November employee communication deadline.

By the end of the session, participants will leave ready to implement compliant and equitable paid leave systems within their organizations.

Why Attend?

Did you know someone could request parental leave in 2026 even if their child was born or adopted in 2025? If that’s news to you, this workshop is a must-attend!

This new statewide benefit, championed by Representative Hortman, aims to promote workplace equity across Minnesota—particularly for women and middle-income earners who historically have had less access to paid leave. It ensures that all Minnesotans can care for children, elderly family members, sick relatives, or themselves without financial hardship.

Workshop Stations

Explore key areas of the paid leave rollout at four interactive tables led by HR experts:

Table 1: Registration with DEED

  • Confirm your registration and portal setup.

Table 2: Choosing Insurance Plans

  • Gina Lemon (Vivid Joy HR) will discuss selecting between state and private insurance plans.

  • A broker will be present to answer questions.

Table 3: Business Compliance Checklist

  • Robyn Kippley (Korn Ferry) will share a checklist with required posters and a communication plan template for employees.

Table 4: Training and Process Development

  • Gwen Gierke (Gierke Jungbauer Human Capital) will guide attendees through creating employee training plans and documented leave management processes.

  • Each business will leave with a customized process document and training plan.

Register Here