Short answer. From January 1, 2026: a meal break of at least 30 minutes when working 6 or more consecutive hours. It can be unpaid if the employee is completely relieved of duties. From January 1, 2026: a paid rest break of at least 15 minutes, or enough time to use the nearest restroom if longer, within each 4 consecutive hours.
Minnesota breaks at a glance
- Meal break
- From January 1, 2026: a meal break of at least 30 minutes when working 6 or more consecutive hours. It can be unpaid if the employee is completely relieved of duties.
- Rest breaks
- From January 1, 2026: a paid rest break of at least 15 minutes, or enough time to use the nearest restroom if longer, within each 4 consecutive hours.
- Paid?
- Meal: unpaid if the employee is relieved of all duty; rest: paid.
- Law
- Minn. Stat. 177.253 and 177.254; Minn. R. 5200.0120
- Agency
- Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Labor Standards
In Minnesota's words
Meal break
"When working six or more consecutive hours"
Rest breaks
"at least 15 minutes or enough time to use the nearest convenient restroom, whichever is longer"
Breaks by shift length in Minnesota
For an adult working the hours in one stretch, Minnesota's rule as we read it calls for:
| Shift | Meal break | Rest breaks |
|---|---|---|
| 3½ hours | None yet | None yet |
| 4 hours | None yet | 15 minutes |
| 5½ hours | None yet | 15 minutes |
| 6 hours | 30 minutes | 15 minutes |
| 7½ hours | 30 minutes | 15 minutes |
| 8 hours | 30 minutes | 15 minutes and 15 minutes |
| 11½ hours | 30 minutes | 15 minutes and 15 minutes |
| 12 hours | 30 minutes | 15 minutes, 15 minutes and 15 minutes |
Other shift lengths: open the checker set to Minnesota.
Who the Minnesota rule covers
Employees under the Minnesota Fair Labor Standards Act, except certain agricultural workers, bona fide executive, administrative and professional employees, and certain seasonal day camp staff.
Worth knowing in Minnesota
Minnesota changed both rules on January 1, 2026. Any break under 20 minutes counts as hours worked and must be paid; employers may require employees to stay on the premises during an unpaid meal break.
Not stated on the Minnesota pages we read: a separate rule for minors, waivers, a penalty.
Official Minnesota sources
- Minnesota DLI: Work breaks, rest periods (checked November 2026)
Minnesota rules as published on the pages above, checked November 2026. General information, not legal advice; we are not lawyers. A union contract, an industry order or a city ordinance can add to them.
Minnesota break questions
When is a meal break required in Minnesota?
From January 1, 2026: a meal break of at least 30 minutes when working 6 or more consecutive hours. It can be unpaid if the employee is completely relieved of duties. Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Labor Standards puts it as "When working six or more consecutive hours."
How many rest breaks does Minnesota require?
From January 1, 2026: a paid rest break of at least 15 minutes, or enough time to use the nearest restroom if longer, within each 4 consecutive hours.
Is a meal break paid in Minnesota?
On the official page we checked, the meal break is unpaid if the employee is relieved of all duty. If the employee has to keep working or stay on duty, the time is paid.
Who is covered by the Minnesota break rule?
Employees under the Minnesota Fair Labor Standards Act, except certain agricultural workers, bona fide executive, administrative and professional employees, and certain seasonal day camp staff.
All states: meal and rest break laws by state · Maryland · Nevada