The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board has ended its attempts to reclaim over $13,000 in maternity leave benefits from a park worker who chose to resign following her leave, announcing changes to the agency’s parental leave policy.
“With the new state law, MN Paid Family Leave, going into effect in January 2026, the MPRB has decided that it, in advance of the law becoming effective, will no longer make its PPL conditional upon returning to work,” according to a letter this week from Park Board Superintendent Al Bangoura to former parkkeeper Indica Medeiros. “In light of this change, the MPRB will not seek repayment from you of the $13,403.08 in PPL funds.
“The MPRB originally instituted its PPL policy, in part, to support parent-child bonding,” the letter continued. “As an organization, the MPRB will continue to support its employees, and this policy change is meant to further that goal.”
Medeiros, a park maintenance worker since 2020, had given birth last fall to a preterm baby. The baby required special care, and she and her husband — who continues to work for the Park Board — found that they could not afford child care.
Medeiros notified the Park Board that she would be staying home to parent full time following her leave. The Park Board then insisted she repay her maternity leave benefits according to a provision in its paid parental leave policy that the agency may seek reimbursement if an employee did not return to work for at least four weeks.
The Minnesota Star Tribune reported last week that the Laborers Union Local 363, which represents parkkeepers, had filed an unfair labor practice charge, alleging the Park Board did not provide the opportunity to bargain over the little-known requirement.
In that report, the state Department of Employment and Economic Development clarified that under Minnesota’s soon-to-be-implemented paid family leave law, employers will not be allowed to make benefits conditional based on their own policies.
“It was a huge relief to get the letter that they will no longer be legally pursuing me to enforce this policy,” Medeiros said. “I’m glad that we were able to resolve this and move forward. I couldn’t do it without the help from my union and the support of everyone I talked to. I’m glad I get to finally fully focus on my family and the health of my babies."
