Minnesota Required Workday Break & Meal Periods 2024
Workday Meal Periods:
REQUIRED
By Statute
Workday Rest Periods:
REQUIRED
By Statute
Minnesota has extensive regulations providing for mandatory break periods during the workday, including both mandatory meal / lunch periods and one or more shorter rest periods. This page provides details about Minnesota's meal and rest period requirements.
Mandatory Workday Lunch / Meal Breaks in Minnesota
Minnesota requires that sufficient unpaid meal time be provided for employees who work 8 consecutive hours or more. Rest periods of less than 20 minutes may not be deducted from total hours worked.
Which employees are covered by Minnesota's meal period regulations?
Minnesota's meal time laws exclude certain agricultural and seasonal employees. The meal period requirement does not prohibit different break provisions under a collective bargaining agreement.
Note: Minnesota Has Special Regulations for Minor Employees
In addition to a general regulation requiring meal periods for employees, Minnesota has special regulations that require meal periods for minors under age 18. These regulations, which require more frequent and / or longer meal / break periods, take precedence over the general regulations for minor employees. Learn more about Minnesota's child labor regulations here.
Mandatory Workday Rest Periods in Minnesota
In Minnesota, employees must be allowed one paid adequate rest period within each 4 consecutive hours of work, to utilize the nearest convenient restroom. Rest periods of less than 20 minutes may not be deducted from total hours worked.
Which employees are covered by Minnesota's rest period regulations?
Rest period laws exclude certain agricultural and seasonal employees.
Additional Rest Period Information
Different rest breaks are permitted if pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement.
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