Business groups warn of early strain from paid leave law

The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce told a House committee that, just two months after Minnesota’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Act took effect in January, many of its 6,300 member businesses are already reporting higher costs, administrative headaches and fears of abuse. Chamber official Lauryn Schothorst said 80% of members already offered some paid leave before the mandate, but now face a more complex state system they say is slow to execute and disruptive for small and seasonal operations. She cited employer reports of workers pressuring doctors for the full 12 weeks of leave regardless of medical need, employees traveling on vacation or to music festivals while on leave, and some making more on benefits than the law’s wage‑replacement thresholds, which she framed as "overuse is abuse" even if it doesn’t meet a legal fraud standard. The article notes that while some workers have experienced glitches applying for and receiving benefits, most appear to be getting payments without major problems so far. The program is still in its infancy, and lawmakers have not yet decided whether to tweak eligibility, enforcement or employer recourse in response to the business pushback, leaving Twin Cities employers in a wait‑and‑see posture as they staff around new absences.