R.D. Offutt Agrees to Pay Hundreds Minnesota Workers For Sick Leave Violation

(Getty Images via Minnesota Reformer)

(Minnesota Reformer) – Fargo-based R.D. Offutt Farms, one of the largest potato growers in the world, agreed to pay $82,770 to 442 workers for failing to provide sick leave in 2024 as part of a settlement with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry announced on Monday.

The company also sent checks totaling $80,800 to 101 migrant agricultural workers for not providing employment statements with key details including wages, job duties, employment period and housing arrangements.

Under a Minnesota law passed in 2023, all employees are entitled to one hour of paid sick and safe time for every 30 hours worked up to 48 hours a year — at least six days for a full-time employee.

R.D. Offutt Farms told state labor regulators that sick leave was available to all employees, but the Department of Labor and Industry determined most employees were not able to use the time, and the company did not tell employees how much time they had accrued, according to the settlement agreement.