On January 1, 2026, amendments to the Minnesota Fair Labor Standards Act regarding mandatory rest and meal break period requirements (Minn. Stat. 177.253 and 177.254) go into effect in Minnesota. Minnesota employers should review their policies, including their employee handbook, to make sure that they are in compliance with these changes. Employers subject to collective bargaining agreements, however, may continue to establish rest and meal breaks different from the requirements under Minnesota law.

Effective January 1, 2026, employers 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.” Previously, employers needed to provide “adequate time from work within each four consecutive hours of work to utilize the nearest convenient restroom.” Rest breaks taken under this provision remain paid for employees.

Additionally, effective January 1, 2026, employers must allow “each employee who is working for six or more consecutive hours a meal break of at least 30 minutes.” Previously, employers needed to provide a 30-minute meal break for every eight hours worked. Meal breaks taken under this provision remain unpaid for employees.

In addition to the above changes, the amendments included the addition of remedies for employees. Employers who do not allow rest or meal breaks in compliance with the changes effective January 1, 2026, will be liable to the employee for the rest or meal break time that “should have been allowed at the employee’s regular rate of pay, plus an additional equal amount as liquidated damages.”

These changes to Minnesota law may be difficult or complex to sort through and apply to your employees, including with the threat of additional penalties for non-compliance. If you have questions about implementation of these changes or your company policies, please contact our Labor & Employment attorneys at (651) 439-2878.