If you’re hiring employees in Minnesota, use a Minnesota employment contract to outline what is expected of the employer and the employee. An employment contract includes details such as the job responsibilities of the employee, the period of employment, the compensation the employee will receive, how the employee can be terminated, and any confidentiality clauses.
Employment Contracts: What to Consider as an Employer in Minnesota
If you’re using a Minnesota employment contract, you need to ensure you know the state labor laws and requirements.
At-Will
Minnesota is an at-will employment state.
Minimum Wage Laws in Minnesota
Minnesota’s minimum wage requirements depend on the size of the employer.
For an enterprise with annual revenues of $500,000 or more, the minimum wage is:
Basic Minimum Rate (per hour): $10.59
For an enterprise with annual revenues of less than $500,000, the minimum wage is:
Basic Minimum Rate (per hour): $8.63
For both businesses sizes:
Premium Pay After Designated Hours: Weekly – 48
Employees under 18 years old may be paid $8.63 per hour.
Employment/Age Certification in Minnesota
Employment certificates are required in Minnesota for minors under 16 during school hours.
Age certification is not required in Minnesota. However, employers are required to obtain and keep on record proof of age for any minors they employ.
Payday Requirements in Minnesota
In Minnesota, employers are required to pay employees all wages at least once every 31 days. This includes salary, earnings, and gratuities. Any commissions earned by an employee have to be paid at least once every three months, on a regular payday. [1]
Minimum Periods for Breaks and Meals in Minnesota
Minnesota requires paid break periods for employees within each four-hour consecutive work period, to utilize the nearest restroom. Any rest periods of less than 20 minutes may not be deducted from the total hours worked.
Meal periods are also required in Minnesota. For employees working eight consecutive hours or more, sufficient unpaid time for employees is required.
Minnesota Employment Contract Sample
Download a Minnesota employment contract template in PDF or Word format below.
