Otter Tail County updates FMLA policy to align with MetLife administration, effective Jan. 1, 2026

Otter Tail County approved revisions to its Family and Medical Leave Act policy at its Nov. 4 meeting to align county practice with the MetLife administration of the county’s new paid family and medical leave program.

Assistant Human Resources Director Stephanie Retzlaff told the board the redlined changes to personnel rule §5.20 change the county’s 12‑month measurement period from a calendar year to a rolling 12‑month lookback so the county’s FMLA policy matches how MetLife measures a benefit year: “MetLife, as you know, will be administering our paid family medical leave program, and their policy defines the benefit year as a rolling 12 month period measured backward from the first day of leave taken.”

The revisions also add clarifying language about when the 12‑month period begins for military caregiver leave, and strike language that required employees to use accrued sick and vacation while on FMLA. Retzlaff said that under the county’s paid family and medical leave program employees who receive wage replacement will be on unpaid leave with the county and therefore will no longer be required to exhaust accrued leave balances during FMLA.

Commissioner Mortensen moved to adopt the changes with an effective date of Jan. 1, 2026; Commissioner Sullivan seconded and the board approved the motion by voice vote.

Why it matters: aligning the county FMLA policy with the administrator’s measurement period reduces administrative friction for employees who may be covered by both federal FMLA and Minnesota’s paid leave program. The board directed HR to implement the changes beginning Jan. 1, 2026.

What’s next: HR will update personnel documentation and communicate the timing and practical effects to staff before the effective date.