Minnesota employers should be aware that, pursuant to Governor Walz’s Executive Order 20-29, effective April 6, 2020 until December 31, 2020, Minnesota employers “must notify separated employees that they can apply for unemployment insurance benefits.” In addition, the executive order confirms that there is no longer a waiting week for unemployment compensation, and that there will be no delays due to money received from vacation pay, sick pay, or personal time off (PTO) payouts upon termination.

Accordingly, if you are separating/termination/furloughing (whatever you want to call it) an employee, make sure you put in the termination notice or letter something to the effect of, “You may apply for unemployment insurance benefits either online at www.uimn.org, or by phone at (651)296-3644, toll free (877)898-900, or TTY (866)814-1252.”