Minnesota Worker Rights
Minnesota has strong wage theft laws, paid sick time for nearly all workers, and a state paid family and medical leave program starting in 2026.
- Minnesota
Pay
- Minimum wage: above the federal rate and adjusted every January. Minneapolis and St. Paul set higher local rates.
- Overtime: state law requires overtime after 48 hours, but the federal rule of 40 hours applies to most workers.
- Final pay: within 24 hours of a written demand if you’re fired; by the next regular payday if you quit.
- Wage theft: serious wage theft is a crime, and contractors can be liable for subcontractors’ unpaid wages on construction projects.
- Prevailing wage: required on state-funded construction.
Breaks and leave
- Earned sick and safe time: 1 hour for every 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours a year.
- Breaks: a restroom break every 4 hours, and time to eat a meal for shifts of 8 hours or more.
- Paid Leave: a state program paying partial wages for family and medical leave, with benefits beginning in 2026.
Unions and right-to-work
Minnesota is not a right-to-work state, so a union contract can require covered workers to pay at least a fee for representation. Private-sector workers have the right to organize under federal law. See Your Right to Organize.
Where to file
- Unpaid wages and overtime: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Labor Standards.
- Discrimination and harassment: Minnesota Department of Human Rights, or the U.S. EEOC.
- Safety: MNOSHA, the state plan, covers most private and public employers.
- Work injuries: report the injury to your employer right away, in writing, and follow up with Minnesota’s workers’ compensation agency. See Workers’ Compensation.
Check current rules: this is a summary. Wage rates and labor laws change often, usually on January 1 or July 1, and cities and counties can add their own rules. Confirm details with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry before acting. Federal protections apply too. See Where to Get Help.
Standards & references
Last updated: