Minn. Stat. » CHAPTER 268. UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
Minnesota Statutes

Minn. Stat. § 268.03 (2026)

Public Purpose Of The Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Program

✓ current as of May 2026
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Subdivision 1.Statement.

The public purpose of this chapter is: Economic insecurity because of involuntary unemployment of workers in Minnesota is a subject of general concern that requires appropriate action by the legislature. The public good is promoted by providing workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own a temporary partial wage replacement to assist the unemployed worker to become reemployed. This program is the "Minnesota unemployment insurance program."

Subd. 2.

MS 2006 [Renumbered 268.031]

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 162 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1943–2025 · leading case: Jenkins v. Am. Express Fin. Corp., 721 N.W.2d 286 (Minn. 2006).
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Jenkins v. Am. Express Fin. Corp., 721 N.W.2d 286 (Minn. 2006). · cites it 16× “at 913 (quoting Minn.Stat. § 268.03, subd. 1 (2004)). "[T]he fact remains that [Jenkins] engaged in the behavior that led to her incarceration.”
Dukowitz v. Hannon Sec. Servs., 841 N.W.2d 147 (Minn. 2014). · cites it 8× “See Minn. Stat. § 268.03 , subd. 1 (“Economic insecurity because of involuntary unemployment of workers in Minnesota is a subject of general concern that requires appropriate action by the legislature.”
Houston v. Int'l Data Transfer Corp., 645 N.W.2d 144 (Minn. 2002). · cites it 8× “095, subdivision 6(a)(1), is consistent with the remedial nature of unemployment compensation and the declared public policy that unemployment benefits are for those who are "unemployed through no fault of their own," Minn.Stat. § 268.03, subd. 1 (2000). [4] Having thoroughly…”
Tuma v. Comm'r of Econ. Sec., 386 N.W.2d 702 (Minn. 1986). · cites it 4× “The general legislative intent behind Minnesota’s unemployment compensation law is found in Minn.Stat. § 268.03 (1984). Section 268.03 mandates: The legislature * * * declares that in its considered judgment the public good and the general welfare of the citizens of this state…”
Geo. A. Hormel & Co. v. Asper, 428 N.W.2d 47 (Minn. 1988). · cites it 6× “The unemployment compensation statute itself has also been interpreted by this court: [W]e have stated on numerous occasions that the unemployment compensation statute is remedial in nature and must therefore be liberally construed to effectuate the public policy of Minn.Stat. §…”
Bergseth v. Zinsmaster Baking Co., 89 N.W.2d 172 (Minn. 1958). · cites it 8× “(2d) 576 , 581: "* * * The legislative purpose behind the enactment of our act is to be found in the legislative declaration of public policy, § 268.03. It is a general rule that a liberal construction is usually accorded statutes which are regarded by courts as humanitarian or…”
Lolling v. Midwest Patrol, 545 N.W.2d 372 (Minn. 1996). · cites it 3× “See Minn.Stat. § 268.03 (1994) (declaring public policy).”
Jansen v. Peoples Elec. Co., Inc., 317 N.W.2d 879 (Minn. 1982). · cites it 8× “The declaration of public policy in section 268.03 stresses that "unemployment reserves [are] to be used for the benefit of persons unemployed through no fault of their own.”
Smith v. Employers' Overload Co., 314 N.W.2d 220 (Minn. 1981). · cites it 2× “Moreover, we have stated on numerous occasions that the unemployment compensation statute is remedial in nature and must therefore be liberally construed to effectuate the public policy of Minn.Stat. § 268.03 (1980) that unem *222 ployment reserves be used “for the benefit of…”
Icenhower v. Total Auto., Inc., 845 N.W.2d 849 (Minn. Ct. App. 2014). · cites it 2× “2011) (quotations omitted); see also Minn.Stat. §§ 268.03, subd. 1 (no fault of their own), .”
Rowan v. Dream It, Inc., 812 N.W.2d 879 (Minn. Ct. App. 2012). · cites it 2× “” Minn.Stat. § 268.03, subd. 1 (2010). Because Dream It was not required to offer Rowan’s LLC jobs, she also lost the guarantee of sufficient hours.”
Grushus v. Minnesota Mining & Mfg. Co., 100 N.W.2d 516 (Minn. 1960). · cites it 5× “Moreover, we cannot ignore the statemént of public policy contained in § 268.03 of the act to the effect that its purpose is to alleviate unemployment and attendant social consequences by the compulsory setting aside of unemployment reserves to be used “for the benefit of…”
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