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You’ve worked hard for your money and deserve fair pay. Our state has strict laws about what employers must pay their workers and what they can and cannot take out for tips and taxes. Additionally, employers must provide rest breaks and meal breaks according to state and federal law.
When you review your paycheck, it should reflect the correct hours you worked and the amount owed to you. This may be especially important if you’re a minimum wage worker and rely heavily on your income. If you discover that your wages are incorrect, you need the legal assistance of an experienced wage and hour attorney from Wanta Thome Employment Lawyers. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with a Minneapolis minimum wage violation lawyer who can help you understand your legal options. Don’t wait to take action; delays in filing your claim could cause you to lose your right to seek compensation and hold your employer accountable.
Beginning January 1, 2026, the state raised the minimum wage to $11.41 per hour for all employers, although some cities have separate ordinances with higher rates for employers within city limits. State minimum wage exceeds the federal minimum wage ($7.75 per hour), and federal employees in Minnesota must receive the higher of the two. Employers may pay workers under the age of 20 a training wage of $9.31 per hour for the first 90 days only.
The state does not allow tip credits, meaning that employers cannot use tips to offset the minimum wage. Tipped employees must receive the full $11.41 per hour without deductions for tips, commissions, or bonuses.
Any failure to pay at least the minimum wage or comply with break laws may constitute wage theft. The Minnesota Wage Theft Prevention Act provides criminal penalties for employers who intentionally withhold pay or do not give adequate break time.
If your paycheck is short, double-check your pay and hours with your employer or Human Resources, as mistakes can happen. You should also ask for a correction in writing so you have documentation if it becomes necessary. If your employer does not correct the mistake promptly, contact an attorney to protect your rights.
Your attorney can help you gather the documentation you’ll need for your claim with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. You must show your usual hours worked, your normal rate of pay, and other notes or emails about your working hours and conditions. For instance, if you have not been receiving your break time, you should document that with notes or emails.
You need to move quickly on your claim, as the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the paycheck violation or three years for a willful violation. Furthermore, your legal team must gather evidence as soon as possible, as a delay could lead to lost information. A Minneapolis lawyer can help you collect the evidence for your minimum wage dispute before someone deletes or shreds the information.
At Wanta Thome Employment Lawyers, our team is dedicated to holding employers accountable for their wrongful conduct. Our award-winning attorneys deliver strategic, timely case resolution on a contingency basis, meaning you are responsible for paying nothing until we recover the compensation you deserve.
Our team works collaboratively on cases, ensuring nothing is overlooked and you remain informed throughout the legal process. When employers violate minimum wage laws and prevent you from receiving the pay you are owed, our Minneapolis attorneys can step in and protect your rights under both state and federal law.
At Wanta Thome, we take action to recover unpaid wages and hold employers accountable. If your employer has intentionally shorted your paycheck or withheld your pay, we are here to help you file your claim with the Department of Labor and make a case against your employer for back wages.
Contact our office today for a free and confidential consultation with a Minneapolis minimum wage violation lawyer. We are ready to give you the assistance you need in your wage violation case.