Know Your Rights: Employee Rights in Minnesota

If you work in Minnesota, state and federal law give you important rights on the job. Your employer must follow these rules. Here is what you need to know.

Your Rights

1. You must be paid at least minimum wage. Minnesota’s minimum wage is $11.13 per hour for large employers (over $500,000 in annual revenue) and $9.08 per hour for small employers. Tipped employees must still receive minimum wage – Minnesota does not allow a lower tipped wage.

2. You must be paid for all hours worked. This includes training time, required meetings, and time spent putting on or taking off work gear. If you work over 40 hours in a week, you are generally owed overtime at 1.5 times your regular rate.

3. You cannot be discriminated against. The Minnesota Human Rights Act ( Minn. Stat. § 363A.08 ) makes it illegal for employers to discriminate based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial status, or public assistance status. This applies to hiring, firing, pay, promotions, and all other job decisions.

4. You cannot be fired for reporting violations. Minnesota’s whistleblower law ( Minn. Stat. § 181.932 ) protects you from being fired or punished for reporting illegal activity, safety violations, or fraud.

5. You have a right to earned sick and safe time. Minnesota’s statewide earned sick and safe time law requires employers to provide paid time off for illness, medical appointments, and safety needs related to domestic violence or stalking. Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, and Bloomington also have local sick leave ordinances.

6. You must receive your final paycheck on time. If you are fired, your employer must pay all wages owed within 24 hours. If you quit, your employer must pay within the next pay period (but no more than 20 days after your last day).

7. You have the right to a safe workplace. Under both federal OSHA rules and Minnesota law, your employer must provide a safe working environment. You can report unsafe conditions without fear of retaliation.

8. You must be given notice of mass layoffs. Under the Minnesota WARN Act ( Minn. Stat. § 116L.976 ), employers with 100 or more employees must give 90 days’ written notice before a plant closing or mass layoff.

What to Do

• Keep records of your hours and pay. Save pay stubs, time sheets, and any written communication about your pay or schedule.
• Report wage theft. If your employer is not paying you correctly, file a complaint with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry: 651-284-5070 or online at dli.mn.gov.
• Report discrimination. File a charge with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights within one year of the discrimination. You can also file with the federal EEOC within 300 days. See Minn. Stat. § 363A.28 .
• Document everything. If you believe you are being treated unfairly, keep a written record of what happened, when, and who was involved. Save emails, texts, and other evidence.
• Do not quit without a plan. If you are being mistreated, talk to a lawyer or legal aid before quitting. Quitting may affect your right to unemployment benefits and other claims.

Important Deadlines

Deadline	What It Means
1 year	Deadline to file a discrimination charge with the MN Department of Human Rights
300 days	Deadline to file a discrimination charge with the federal EEOC
2 years	Deadline to file a federal wage claim (Fair Labor Standards Act)
24 hours	Employer must pay final wages after firing you
20 days	Maximum time employer has to pay final wages after you quit

Get Help

• Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry: 651-284-5070 – dli.mn.gov – Handles wage theft complaints and workplace safety
• Minnesota Department of Human Rights: 651-539-1100 – mn.gov/mdhr – Handles discrimination complaints

For more detail: See our full guides on these topics:

Wrongful Termination in Minnesota

A plain-language guide to understanding wrongful termination claims in Minnesota, including at-will employment exceptions, discrimination, retaliation, and how to take action.

Wage Theft and Unpaid Wages in Minnesota

What to do if your employer has not paid you. A plain-language guide to Minnesota wage theft laws, how to file a complaint, and your rights as a worker.

Workplace Harassment in Minnesota

A plain-language guide to understanding workplace harassment laws in Minnesota, including sexual harassment, hostile work environment, and how to file a complaint.

Unemployment Benefits in Minnesota

A plain-language guide to applying for and appealing unemployment benefits in Minnesota, including eligibility, the appeals process, and common issues.

Workers' Compensation in Minnesota

A plain-language guide to workers' compensation in Minnesota, including how to report an injury, file a claim, and understand your benefits.