Are You Providing a Wage Notice to Every Employee? (If Not, You Could Be Out of Compliance)

Since the passage of Minnesota’s Wage Theft Prevention Act, employers have been required to provide a written wage notice to all employees—at the start of employment and any time pay or terms change. If you’re hiring or changing pay and haven’t issued this document, you may be unintentionally out of compliance.

🧾 What Is the Employee Wage Notice?

Minnesota law requires employers to give each new employee a written notice that includes specific details about their pay, employment status, and terms of work. The notice must be provided in English, signed by the employee, and kept on file by the employer.

📌 What Must the Notice Include?

According to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), the wage notice must include:

• Employee’s rate(s) of pay (hourly, salary, etc.)

• Basis of pay (hour, shift, day, week, piece, commission, etc.)

• Allowances for meals or lodging

• Paid vacation, sick time, or other paid leave policies

• Employment status (full-time, part-time, temporary, seasonal)

• Paydays and pay period schedule

• Employer’s legal name and any operating names

• Physical address of the employer’s main office or principal place of business

• Employer’s telephone number

• Overtime status (exempt or non-exempt)

🔗 Here’s the full list from MN DLI

✅ When Must It Be Provided?

• On or before the first day of work

• Each time any of the following change:

  • Rate of pay

  • Earning basis

  • Allowances

  • Paid leave policies

And yes—you must update and reissue the notice with employee acknowledgment when changes occur.

⚠️ What Happens If You Don’t?

Failure to comply with the wage notice law can result in:

• Penalties and fines

• Claims of wage theft

• Risk of legal action from the Department of Labor and Industry or employees

🛠 How People Solutions Hub Can Help

We help small and mid-sized businesses:

• Create compliant wage notice templates

• Set up processes for issuing and storing signed copies

• Train managers and onboarding staff on proper handling

• Align wage notices with employment offer letters and handbook language

Let’s Get Your Process in Place

Don’t let a missing document become a costly mistake. Let’s talk through your onboarding process and make sure your wage notices are up to par.

📧 psolutionshub@gmail.com