Effective Jan. 1, 2026, Minnesota employers will be required to comply with updated labor standards that strengthen employee rights around meal and rest breaks. These changes were enacted as part of a broader omnibus bill and are designed to promote workplace fairness and wellbeing.
What’s changing?
Rest breaks
Employees must receive a paid 15-minute rest break for every four consecutive hours worked. This is a shift from previous standards that only required “adequate time” for restroom use without specifying duration.
Meal breaks
Employees working six or more consecutive hours must be provided an unpaid 30-minute meal break. Previously, breaks were only required after eight hours, and the law did not define how long those breaks should be.
Penalties for noncompliance
If an employer fails to provide the required breaks:
- The employee must be compensated for the missed time at their regular rate of pay.
- Employers could be required to pay additional liquidated damages equal to the missed compensation.
While the law outlines these penalties, further clarification from the state is expected before the effective date to help employers understand how to calculate and administer these payments.
What Insperity HRCore™ solution clients should do
- Train managers and supervisors on the updated requirements and enforcement procedures.
- Prepare internal policies that reflect the new standards and communicate them clearly to employees.
- Monitor for additional guidance from Minnesota regulators ahead of the 2026 rollout.
Click for more information: Work breaks, rest periods | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.