Frequently asked questions -- employee rights

You must receive at least the minimum wage per hour 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 determine what action would be appropriate and inform you of its decision.
Your employer may not 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).
Each time you are paid, you must receive a statement listing all deductions, such as taxes, from your earnings.
Keep accurate records of the hours you worked. If there's a difference between your record and the employer's, review your records together.
Rest breaks are not required; however, you must be allowed time to use the nearest restroom once every four consecutive hours worked.
If you work eight or more consecutive hours, you must be allowed sufficient time to eat a meal.
Your employer must pay one-and-one-half times your regular rate of pay for overtime hours worked. See the overtime information to learn if your employer is covered by state or federal law.
Minors (those under 18 years of age) are prohibited from working certain jobs and certain hours. See the minimum age information for details.
You have the right to a safe workplace. If you believe safety or health hazards exist at your worksite, contact Minnesota OSHA via e-mail or call (651) 284-5050 or 1-877-470-OSHA
(1-877-470-6742).
If you are injured on the job, immediately inform your employer. The employer has an obligation to provide you with workers' compensation benefits. Call (651) 284-5005 or
1-800-DIAL-DLI (1-800-342-5354) for more information.
Your employer must provide a work environment free from racial, sexual and religious harassment. Report violations to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights by calling (651) 296-5663.
If your employment ends, you may apply for unemployment benefits online or by using the automated phone option at (651) 296-3644, in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area, or at
1-877-898-9090, in Greater Minnesota. You may choose English, Hmong, Somali or Spanish.

For more information

If you don't see your question answered here or want more information about any of these subjects, contact the Department of Labor and Industry, Labor Standards unit, at dli.laborstandards@state.mn.us, (651) 284-5070 or 1-800-DIAL-DLI (1-800-342-5354).