Learn more about overtime laws, retaliation and more



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Wage and Hour Bulletin

"April 2025"

Prevailing-wages updates

Freshly laid asphalt road construction closeup with workers

Minnesota's prevailing-wage laws ensure workers on public construction projects receive fair wages based on regional standards. Employers and construction contractors must stay informed about the most recent prevailing-wage rates and compliance requirements. For the most recent updates, visit dli.mn.gov/prevailing-wage [ [link removed] ].


* Attend our next prevailing-wage webinar, April 30, from 9 to 10 a.m. Register for the webinar [ [link removed] ].

This session will explain prevailing wage, its application to public works and construction projects, how to identify the correct wage rate for workers and how rates are determined. Construction contractors, employees on prevailing-wage projects and anyone involved in state construction or public works projects are encouraged to register to attend.



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Understanding overtime laws

Clock with work overtime text

Minnesota and federal laws require employers to pay overtime (1.5 times the regular pay rate) for hours worked beyond 48 a week under state law and 40 a week under federal law. Some exemptions apply based on job classification.* Employers and employees should stay informed about their rights and obligations. Learn more on our “Overtime laws” page [ dli.mn.gov/business/employment-practices/overtime-laws ].

For questions related to overtime laws in Minnesota, contact us at [email protected] or 651-284-5075.

Review the federal Fair Labor Standards Act [ [link removed] ] about overtime; the law requires some employers to pay overtime for all hours worked in excess of 40 a workweek. These employers include:


* employers that produce or handle goods for interstate commerce;

* businesses with gross annual sales of more than $500,000; and

* hospitals and nursing homes, personal care assistant and community first services and supports agencies, private and public schools, federal, state and local government agencies.

*For more information about misclassification, visit our "Misclassification FAQs" page [ [link removed] ].



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Retaliation protections:  New resources available

Closeup of a workplace retaliation complaint form

Workers have the right to report law violations without fear of retaliation. Employers are prohibited from taking adverse actions against employees who exercise their workplace rights. The Department of Labor and Industry has launched a new webpage with information about retaliation protections and how to file a complaint. For more information, visit dli.mn.gov/retaliation [ [link removed] ].



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Doctor explains concept of disease management with blocks
Comparison of earned sick and safe time and Paid Leave

Minnesota's earned sick and safe time (ESST) law allows workers to earn paid leave for short-term needs, such as illness, medical appointments or safety concerns, with a maximum required accrual of 48 hours a year. In contrast, starting in 2026, the state's Paid Leave program will provide longer-term wage replacement for significant life events, such as a serious illness, bonding with a new child or caring for a family member, with up to 12 weeks of leave for each qualifying event. While ESST is employer funded and accrues over time, Paid Leave will be a state-managed program funded by employer and employee payroll contributions.

*Purpose of ESST*



*Purpose of Paid Leave*



Allow for accrual and use of paid time off and provide job protections for employees who are unable to work due to a qualifying reason.



Provide job protections and partial wage replacement for individuals unable to work due to a qualifying condition lasting at least seven days.



Read the ESST annual report [ [link removed] ].



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DLI staff members interviewed by community media organizations

DLI staff members were interviewed by local community media organizations -- Hmong TV and El Minnesota de Hoy -- to discuss worker rights, including earned sick and safe time and wage theft protections.


* Watch the Hmong TV interview [ [link removed] ].
* Watch the El Minnesota de Hoy interview [ [link removed] ].

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Question of the month

*What happens if an employer pays less than the prevailing wage on a state-funded construction or public works project?*

If an employer pays less than the prevailing wage, DLI requires the employer to pay back-wages to the worker to make up the difference. Our agency can also require the employer to pay penalties for failure to comply with the prevailing-wage law.

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Test your knowledge:  Prevailing wage

Take our quick quiz [ [link removed] ] to see how much you know about prevailing wage.

Find more information about prevailing wage online <prevailing%20wage%20online> or contact us at
651-284-5091 or [email protected] <%[email protected]>.

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"Wage and Hour Bulletin" archive

Access past editions of [ [link removed] ]"The Wage and Hour Bulletin [ [link removed] ]."

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Questions?

Labor Standards serves the people of Minnesota by providing
information about the state's wage, hour and employment laws.

Phone:  651-284-5075 or 800-342-5354
Email:  [email protected]
Website:  dli.mn.gov [ [link removed] ]





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minnesota department of labor and industry [ [link removed] ]

*Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry  |  www.dli.mn.gov [ [link removed] ] *

651-284-5005 or 800-342-5354

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