Beginning January 1, 2026, Minnesota employers must provide non-exempt employees specific meal and rest breaks, subject to limited exceptions; failure to do so may result in damages up to double the amount of wages for the missed break.
Meal and Rest Break Requirements
On January 1, 2026, Minnesota employers must comply with updated break requirements for non-exempt employees, with few exceptions (e.g., agricultural workers, day camp staff, etc.). Under current law, employers must provide only "adequate time" for restroom and meal breaks. Beginning next year, employers must provide:
All rest breaks must occur within each four-hour block of work. A break provided after the end of the four-hour period does not meet the statutory requirement. Only one meal break needs to be offered per shift, even if an employee works more than six consecutive hours.
Employees may voluntarily waive their meal or rest break, but the Department of Labor and Industry recommends that employers get written confirmation of any employee waiver. Further, employers and employees may agree to different break requirements under a collective bargaining agreement.
Damages for Noncompliance
If an employer fails to provide an employee a required break, it is liable for:
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