As an employee in Minnesota, you are entitled to certain rights when it comes to earning fair wages for your time and work. You should be aware of these labor standards and how they affect your ability to make a living. Here are some important things to keep in mind when looking at your hard-earned paycheck.
According to the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry, you should keep your own personal record of how many hours you worked during each pay period. If there are any discrepancies between your record and your paycheck, you should bring it to your manager’s attention as soon as possible.
Remember that if you work overtime, which for most workers is over 48 hours a week, you are entitled to receive one and a half times your regular pay. Employers cannot take your wages away in order to pay for uniforms or supplies that you need to work. Similarly, any shortages or breakages that occur on your shift cannot be deducted from your paycheck.
As part of your employee rights, employers must pay you if you are required to attend workplace meetings, on-the-job trainings, grand openings, office preparations or any other mandatory work-related gatherings. Although employers are not required to give you scheduled rest breaks, you should have access to a restroom and be given a meal break if you work an 8-hour shift.
If you feel that you are not receiving fair pay at the workplace, you may want to contact a Minnesota attorney who has experience handling employee rights cases. By bringing the case to light, you are standing up for your rights as a worker, as well as other workers’ rights across the state.
This is general information only and is not intended to provide legal advice.