Emily Atmore Quoted on Minnesota’s New Meal and Rest Break Law and Its Impact on Employers

In a recent article in Minnesota Lawyer, “Minnesota’s new meal and rest break law takes effect Jan. 1,” labor and employment attorney Emily Atmore offers her insights to help employers comply with the omnibus legislation—which makes the first substantive changes to Minnesota’s meal and break requirements for employees in four decades.  

According to Atmore, the lengthier and more frequent breaks and meal periods for employees required by the new law align Minnesota with approximately 20 other employee-friendly states nationwide and are consistent with federal guidance under the Fair Labor Standards Act for such breaks.

To avoid running afoul of the new law, Atmore suggested, “Employers should address staffing and scheduling challenges to make it possible for employees to take breaks and make a plan for requiring employees to document voluntary waivers in writing when they choose to skip breaks.”