2025 Session Last amended: 2025 session

§ 177.253 — Mandatory Work Breaks

Plain-Language Summary

Minnesota employers must give every employee at least a 15-minute paid rest break (or enough time to use the nearest restroom, whichever is longer) for every four consecutive hours of work. If the employer fails to provide required breaks, the employer owes the employee the break time at their regular pay rate plus an equal amount as liquidated damages.

177.253 MANDATORY WORK BREAKS.

Subdivision 1.Rest breaks.

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. §

Subd. 2.Collective bargaining agreement.

Nothing in this section prohibits employers and employees from establishing rest breaks different from those provided in this section pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. §

Subd. 3.Remedies.

If an employer does not allow an employee rest breaks as required by this section and related rules, the employer is liable to the employee for the rest break time that should have been allowed at the employee’s regular rate of pay, plus an additional equal amount as liquidated damages.

History:

1988 c 559 s 1; 1Sp2025 c 6 art 5 s 1,2

History: History: 1988 c 559 s 1; 1Sp2025 c 6 art 5 s 1,2

Practical Notes

When this applies: Every shift of four or more consecutive hours. Who this affects: All Minnesota employees and employers. Key points: You are entitled to at least a 15-minute break for every 4 hours worked. If your restroom is far away, the break must be long enough for you to use it. If your employer does not give you the required break, you are owed double the value of the missed break time (regular pay plus liquidated damages). A collective bargaining agreement can set different break rules.

Source: Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes