Minnesota Overtime Law

Minnesota Overtime Laws

Minnesota provides comprehensive overtime protections for employees, going beyond the basic requirements of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Understanding these state-specific provisions is crucial for both employers and employees.

Key Features of Minnesota Overtime Law:

Overtime Pay: Minnesota mandates overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular rate of pay for hours worked over 48 in a workweek. This differs from the FLSA, which sets the threshold at 40 hours.

Enforcement: The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) is responsible for enforcing the state’s wage and hour laws, including overtime regulations.

Minimum Wage in Minnesota

Minnesota has a higher minimum wage than the federal minimum wage. The minimum wage varies depending on the size of the employer:

- - - Large Employers (annual gross volume of sales over $500,000): $10.59 per hour (2024), $11.25 (2025)

- - - Small Employers: $8.63 per hour (2024), $9.18 (2025)

Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations for unpaid overtime claims in Minnesota is 2 years. This aligns with the standard federal statute of limitations for FLSA claims.

Damages for Unpaid Overtime

Minnesota employees can typically recover the following damages:

- - - - Unpaid overtime wages
        Civil penalties
        Attorneys’ fees
        Costs associated with the legal action

FLSA Overtime Exemptions

Minnesota has its own set of exemptions to overtime laws, which differ from federal exemptions. It’s crucial to understand these state-specific exemptions to determine eligibility for overtime pay. Some common exemptions include:

Executive, Administrative, and Professional Employees: These employees must meet specific salary and duties tests to be exempt.

Outside Salespersons: Employees engaged in sales outside the employer’s place of business.

Certain Computer Professionals: Employees involved in systems analysis, programming, and software engineering may be exempt.