Stearns County approves paid family and medical leave policy, discontinues PTO donation program

The Stearns County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt a paid family and medical leave policy and discontinue the county’s PTO donation program (item E6).

Commissioner Johnson moved approval of the policy and county HR director Jennifer Thorsten said the county’s contract with MetLife means MetLife determines an employee’s eligibility for benefit payments while county HR determines when an employee is fit to return to work. Julie Bradford, employee relations specialist, said return‑to‑work decisions rely on doctor’s notes and the county’s Workday leave request captures whether a leave is for a traditional family member or an “other” person; the policy limits employees to naming one non‑traditional person per year. “They are still required just like for FMLA to provide that documentation and that would determine when an employee is eligible to return to work,” Bradford said.

Members asked for clarity about how MetLife and county HR communicate about eligibility; Bradford described a process where MetLife notifies HR business partners and county records provide an audit trail. Multiple commissioners asked for a three‑month review of the program to report back on implementation and early effects. Commissioner Johnson said he had ‘‘no issue with what you’re asking us to approve’’ but pressed for clarity on eligibility and how the county tracks nontraditional family members.

Board members also discussed cost. During the discussion a commissioner said the program ‘‘costs the county 800,000’’ with employees covering ‘‘400’’ (as stated in the meeting materials), and members asked staff to monitor budget impacts and operational challenges as the program launches. The board approved the item by voice vote.

Next steps: staff will implement the policy, continue communication with MetLife and return to the board with early findings as requested.