Employee rights FAQs

1. You must receive at least the minimum wage for all hours your employer requires you to work, including preparation time, on-the-job training, opening and closing times, and required meetings. If your employer is not paying the minimum wage or overtime, you can file a claim with the Department of Labor and Industry, Labor Standards unit. Labor Standards will review your complaint to see if we can help. (See Minnesota Statutes 177.24, 177.25 and Minnesota Rules 5200.0120.)

2. Your employer cannot deduct from your wages for breakages, cash shortages, tools or uniforms. Some exceptions to this rule are allowed, contact Labor Standards for more information (contact information is below). (See Minnesota Statutes 181.79 and 177.24, subdivisions 4 and 5.)

3. You must receive earned sick and safe time. For more information, visit dli.mn.gov/sick-leave.

4. Each time you are paid, your employer must give you a statement listing all deductions from your wages, such as taxes (see Minnesota Statutes 181.032). This earnings statement should also include:  your name; your hourly rate of pay (if applicable); the number of hours you worked in the pay period; your total gross earnings for the pay period; the total net earnings after all deductions are made; the date the pay period ends; and the legal name of your employer; the total number of sick and safe time hours available for use; and the total number of sick and safe time hours used in the pay period.

   • Tip:  Keep accurate records of the hours you worked. If there's a difference between your record and the employer's, review your records together.

5. Rest breaks are not required; however, your employer must give you time to use the nearest restroom once every four consecutive hours worked (see Minnesota Statutes 177.253).

6. If you work eight or more consecutive hours, you must be allowed enough time to eat a meal (see Minnesota Statutes 177.254).

7. Your employer must pay one-and-one-half times (1.5x) your regular rate of pay for overtime hours worked. Review the overtime information to learn if your employer is covered by state or federal law. (See Minnesota Statutes 177.25.)

8. Workers under the age of 18 are prohibited from working certain jobs and certain hours. Review the minimum age information for details. (See Minnesota Statutes 181.04, and Minnesota Rules 5200.0910 and 5200.0920.)

9. You have the right to a safe workplace. If you believe safety or health hazards exist at your worksite, contact Minnesota OSHA at osha.compliance@state.mn.us, 651-284-5050 or 877-470-6742.

10. If you are injured on the job, immediately inform your employer. The employer has an obligation to provide you with workers' compensation benefits. Call our Workers' Compensation Division at 651-284-5005 or 800-342-5354 for more information.

11. Your employer must provide a work environment free from racial, sexual and religious discrimination. Report violations to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights at mn.gov/mdhr or 651-296-5663.

12. If your employment ends or your work hours are reduced, you may apply for unemployment benefits online at uimn.org or by using the automated phone option at 651-296-3644 in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area or at 877-898-9090 in Greater Minnesota. You may choose English, Hmong, Somali or Spanish.

For more information

Contact us at dli.laborstandards@state.mn.us, 651-284-5075 or 800-342-5354. Email esst.dli@state.mn.us with questions about earned sick and safe time.