Minnesota labor laws and federal laws protect employees’ well-being and ensure a clear distinction between work and break time. Break regulations guarantee employees have sufficient time to rest and recharge during their shifts.
This article aims to clarify Minnesota break laws, including rules for rest breaks, meal periods, breastfeeding breaks, and breaks for minors. Understanding these rules is crucial for fostering a fair and productive workplace and avoiding legal penalties.
This Article Covers
- Rest Breaks in Minnesota
- Meal Breaks in Minnesota
- Breastfeeding Breaks in Minnesota
- Breaks for Minor Employees in Minnesota
- Penalties for Violating Break Laws in Minnesota
Rest Breaks in Minnesota
Employers in Minnesota are required to provide employees a rest break of at least 15 minutes or enough time to use the restroom, whichever is longer, within every four consecutive hours of work, as mandated by Minnesota break laws.
Breaks that last fewer than 20 minutes must be counted as hours worked and paid.
Employers and employees may agree to different rest break rules through a collective bargaining agreement.
Learn about your rights as a salaried employee in Minnesota.
Meal Breaks in Minnesota
Employees in Minnesota who work six or more consecutive hours must be provided an unpaid meal break of at least 30 minutes, as mandated by the recently updated Minnesota break laws. However, employers and employees can agree to a different meal break rule through a collective bargaining agreement.
For this break to be unpaid, the employee must be completely relieved from their work duties.
Breastfeeding Breaks in Minnesota
Employers must provide reasonable break time each day for employees to express breast milk as per Minnesota break laws. These breaks can run at the same time as regular breaks.
Employees must be paid for the break time used to express milk.
Employers must also make reasonable efforts to provide a clean, private, secure space (not a bathroom) near the work area that is shielded from view, free from intrusion, and has access to an electrical outlet.
Employers cannot retaliate or discriminate against employees for requesting or using lactation breaks.
Employers must also provide reasonable accommodations for pregnancy or childbirth-related conditions upon request, unless doing so would cause undue hardship to their business operations. Here, reasonable accommodations include providing employees with more frequent or longer restroom, food, or water breaks.
Breaks for Minor Employees in Minnesota
There are no special work break laws for minors in Minnesota. However, there are strict age and hour restrictions under Minnesota child labor laws, including limits on when and how long minors under 18 can work, and most employment of minors under 14 is prohibited.
Penalties for Violating Break Laws in Minnesota
If an employer in Minnesota fails to provide the required rest breaks and meal breaks as mandated by Minnesota break laws, they must pay the employee the wages for the missed break time at the employee’s regular rate, plus an additional equal amount as liquidated damages.
Employees can report violations to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) or pursue a private lawsuit to claim these remedies.
Important Cautionary Note
This content is provided for informational purposes only. While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information presented, we cannot guarantee that it is free of errors or omissions. Users are advised to independently verify any critical information and should not solely rely on the content provided.
