The details
Rest Breaks
Under current law, an employer must allow an employee adequate time from work, within each four consecutive hours of work, to use the nearest restroom.
Effective Jan. 1, 2026, an employer must allow each employee a rest break of at least 15 minutes or enough time to utilize the nearest convenient restroom, whichever is longer, within each four consecutive hours of work.
Rest breaks typically must be paid.
Meal Periods
Under current law, an employer must “permit” employees working for eight or more consecutive hours “sufficient time to eat a meal.”
Effective Jan. 1, 2026, an employer must “allow” employees working for “six or more consecutive hours a meal break of at least 30 minutes.”
Bona fide meal periods may be unpaid.
Penalty
If an employer fails to allow a rest break/meal period as required by the law, the employer must pay the employee for the rest break/meal period time that should have been allowed at the employee's regular rate of pay, plus an additional equal amount as damages.
Next steps
Minnesota employers should ensure compliance with the changes by Jan. 1, 2026.