North Dakota . Leave . Updated April 2026

North Dakota has no state-mandated Paid Sick Leave or Paid Family and Medical Leave.

North Dakota aligns with federal standards for family and medical leave, meaning it does not have its own state-specific paid sick leave (PSL) or paid family and medical leave (PFML) mandates. Employers must adhere to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for eligible employees, which applies to businesses with 50 or more employees. This distinguishes North Dakota from neighboring states like Minnesota, which has implemented state-level PSL and will launch PFML in 2026.

State PSL
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State PFML
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Federal FMLA
50+ Employees
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ND No State PSL or PFML

North Dakota employers are not required to provide state-mandated paid sick leave or paid family and medical leave. Federal FMLA applies to employers with 50 or more employees.

No state PSL mandate
No state PFML mandate
Always running

What those rules do as a North Dakota shift is created.

Because North Dakota has not enacted state-specific paid leave laws, Teambridge ensures compliance by defaulting to federal FMLA guidelines and avoiding any state-level paid leave calculations that do not exist. This simplifies leave management for employers operating in North Dakota.

No state PSL accrual

Teambridge does not calculate or accrue state-mandated paid sick leave for employees in North Dakota, as no such state law exists. All sick leave policies default to company policy or federal FMLA for eligible employees.

No state PFML contributions

Teambridge does not manage employer or employee contributions for state-mandated paid family and medical leave, as North Dakota does not have a state PFML program. This simplifies payroll deductions.

Federal FMLA eligibility tracking

For employers with 50 or more employees, Teambridge tracks employee eligibility for federal FMLA leave, including hours worked and tenure requirements, and flags potential FMLA-qualifying events.

North Dakota compliance,
on autopilot.

Never miss a change. Teambridge keeps your labor law compliance in North Dakota — and every state — up to date.

The rule, plainly stated

North Dakota's approach to mandatory paid leave.

North Dakota has adopted a policy of not establishing state-mandated paid sick leave (PSL) or paid family and medical leave (PFML) programs. This positions the state to rely solely on federal regulations, primarily the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), for governing employee leave rights.

North Dakota Century Code does not include provisions for state-mandated paid sick leave or paid family and medical leave. Federal FMLA (29 U.S.C. Chapter 28) applies to eligible employers and employees.

Federal FMLA in North Dakota

For employers with 50 or more employees within a 75-mile radius, the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for specified family and medical reasons. This includes the birth of a child, care for an immediate family member with a serious health condition, or an employee's own serious health condition. North Dakota employers must comply with these federal provisions.

While FMLA guarantees job protection, it does not mandate paid leave. Any paid leave offered by North Dakota employers for FMLA-qualifying events is typically at the employer's discretion or through existing company policies (e.g., PTO, short-term disability).

Absence of State-Specific Paid Leave Mandates

Unlike many other states, North Dakota has chosen not to implement state-specific laws requiring employers to provide paid sick leave or paid family and medical leave. This means there are no state-level accrual requirements, usage rules, or employer contribution mandates for these types of leave in North Dakota. Employers are not required to offer paid time off beyond what is stipulated by federal law (e.g., FMLA for job protection, but not pay) or their own company policies.

Furthermore, North Dakota does not have state-mandated domestic violence leave, nor does it require paid leave for voting or jury duty beyond what federal law (e.g., Jury Duty Antidiscrimination Act) may imply for job protection.

On autopilot

Teambridge manages North Dakota leave compliance, so you don't have to.

Teambridge ensures that your North Dakota operations remain compliant with federal FMLA without generating unnecessary state-specific paid leave complexities. We handle the nuances of multi-state operations by applying only the relevant laws to each employee's location.

01 . Leave Policy Harmonization

Defaulting to federal and company policies

Teambridge automatically applies federal FMLA guidelines for eligible North Dakota employees and integrates seamlessly with your company's existing PTO or sick leave policies, ensuring no conflicts with non-existent state mandates.

02 . Eligibility Tracking

Accurate FMLA qualification

For businesses with 50+ employees, Teambridge tracks employee tenure and hours worked to determine FMLA eligibility, providing timely alerts for qualifying events and ensuring proper leave administration.

03 . Multi-State Differentiation

Contextual compliance across state lines

Teambridge intelligently distinguishes North Dakota's lack of state-mandated paid leave from the requirements of neighboring states like Minnesota, preventing incorrect leave accruals or contributions for your ND workforce.

FAQ

People also ask.

Does North Dakota have a state-mandated paid sick leave law?
No, North Dakota does not have a state-mandated paid sick leave (PSL) law. Employers are not required by state law to provide paid sick time to employees. Any sick leave offered is typically at the employer's discretion or part of a company policy.
Is there a state-mandated paid family and medical leave program in North Dakota?
No, North Dakota does not have a state-mandated paid family and medical leave (PFML) program. There are no state-level employer or employee contributions or benefits for PFML.
What federal leave laws apply to North Dakota employers?
The primary federal leave law applicable in North Dakota is the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). FMLA provides eligible employees of covered employers (50 or more employees) with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for specific family and medical reasons.
Are North Dakota employers required to provide paid leave for jury duty or voting?
North Dakota state law does not mandate paid leave for jury duty or voting. While federal law (Jury Duty Antidiscrimination Act) protects employees from being fired for serving on a jury, it does not require employers to pay for this time. Any paid leave for these reasons would be at the employer's discretion.
How does North Dakota's leave policy compare to neighboring states like Minnesota?
North Dakota's leave policies are significantly different from Minnesota's. Minnesota has implemented a state-mandated Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST) law effective January 1, 2024, and will launch a comprehensive Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program effective January 1, 2026. North Dakota has no equivalent state mandates for paid sick leave or paid family and medical leave.
If an employer in North Dakota offers paid leave, what rules apply?
If an employer in North Dakota chooses to offer paid leave (e.g., PTO, sick leave), the terms and conditions of that leave are generally governed by the employer's own policies, provided they do not violate any existing federal laws (like FMLA) or other contractual obligations.