North Dakota . Workers' Comp & Rest . Updated April 2026

North Dakota's monopolistic workers' comp + mandatory retail rest

North Dakota mandates that all employers secure workers' compensation insurance exclusively through the state-run Workforce Safety and Insurance (WSI) agency. Private insurers are prohibited. Additionally, retail establishments must provide employees with a mandatory 24-hour rest period within every seven consecutive days, with accommodations for worship services.

Workers' Comp
State Monopoly
Retail Rest
24-hour / 7 days
Private Insurers
Prohibited
Active

ND Workers' Comp & Retail Rest

Ensuring compliance with North Dakota's unique state-monopoly workers' compensation system and mandatory retail rest periods.

State-mandated insurer
Retail Sunday Rest
Always running

What those rules do as a North Dakota shift is created.

Teambridge integrates North Dakota's specific workers' compensation and retail rest requirements directly into your scheduling and compliance workflows. This ensures immediate adherence and flags any potential violations before they occur.

Block non-WSI workers' comp plans

Teambridge prevents the selection or integration of any private workers' compensation insurance plans for North Dakota employees, ensuring strict adherence to the WSI state monopoly.

Flag retail schedule conflicts

For retail employees, Teambridge automatically flags any schedule that does not provide a continuous 24-hour rest period within every seven consecutive days, prompting adjustments.

Warn about WSI enrollment delays

Teambridge provides alerts if new employees are scheduled to begin work before their WSI workers' compensation coverage is confirmed, helping to avoid non-compliance from day one.

Stop stressing about North Dakota compliance.

Teambridge manages the complexities of North Dakota's unique labor laws for you, from state-mandated workers' comp to retail rest periods, ensuring seamless operations and peace of mind.

The rule, plainly stated

North Dakota's unique workers' comp mandate and retail rest requirements.

North Dakota operates a monopolistic state fund for workers' compensation insurance, meaning all employers must obtain coverage exclusively through the state's Workforce Safety and Insurance (WSI) program. Additionally, specific rules govern rest periods for retail employees.

North Dakota Century Code § 65-01-02 (Workers' Comp) & § 34-06-04 (Retail Rest)

North Dakota Workforce Safety and Insurance (WSI) is the exclusive provider of workers' compensation insurance in the state. All employers must secure coverage through WSI before any employee begins work. Private workers' compensation insurers are prohibited from underwriting policies in North Dakota.

Retail establishments must ensure that every employee is allowed a continuous period of at least twenty-four consecutive hours of rest in every calendar week. This period of rest must be arranged to accommodate, as far as practicable, the wishes of the employee regarding religious worship.

Workers' Compensation State Monopoly

North Dakota is one of only a few states (alongside Ohio, Washington, and Wyoming) that maintains a state-run monopolistic workers' compensation system. This means that employers cannot purchase workers' compensation insurance from private carriers. Instead, all employers are required to obtain coverage directly from the North Dakota Workforce Safety and Insurance (WSI) agency. Coverage must be in place before any employee commences work, and compliance is strictly enforced.

Retail Sunday Rest and Worship Accommodation

N.D.C.C. § 34-06-04 specifically addresses rest periods for retail employees. It mandates that employees engaged in retail businesses must receive a continuous 24-hour period of rest within each seven-day work period. A key aspect of this rule is the requirement for employers to accommodate an employee's desire for religious worship during this rest period, "as far as practicable." While often referred to as "Sunday rest," the statute allows for flexibility as long as the 24-hour continuous rest is provided and worship is accommodated.

On autopilot

Teambridge ensures North Dakota's unique mandates are always met.

From verifying WSI coverage to preventing retail scheduling conflicts, Teambridge automates compliance for North Dakota employers, eliminating manual checks and reducing risk.

01 . Onboarding

WSI verification & enrollment reminders

When onboarding a new employee in North Dakota, Teambridge prompts for WSI enrollment confirmation and provides reminders to ensure coverage is active before the employee's first shift.

02 . Scheduling

Automated retail rest period enforcement

For retail employees, Teambridge's scheduling engine automatically flags any proposed schedule that would violate the 24-hour continuous rest period within a 7-day cycle, allowing for immediate correction.

03 . Policy Updates

Real-time regulatory change monitoring

Teambridge continuously monitors updates to North Dakota's WSI and retail rest statutes, automatically applying any changes to your compliance framework without requiring manual intervention.

04 . Audit Prep

Comprehensive compliance reporting

Generate detailed reports on employee rest periods and workers' compensation status, providing clear documentation for any WSI audits or compliance reviews.

FAQ

People also ask.

What makes North Dakota's workers' compensation system unique?
North Dakota operates a monopolistic state fund for workers' compensation, meaning employers must purchase coverage exclusively from the state-run Workforce Safety and Insurance (WSI) agency. Private insurance carriers are not permitted to offer workers' compensation policies in the state.
When must an employer secure WSI coverage for new employees?
Employers in North Dakota must secure workers' compensation coverage through WSI before any employee begins work. This ensures immediate protection for both the employee and the employer from the first day of employment.
Does the "retail Sunday rest" rule mean employees cannot work on Sundays?
No, the "retail Sunday rest" rule (N.D.C.C. § 34-06-04) does not prohibit working on Sundays. It mandates that retail employees receive a continuous 24-hour rest period within every seven consecutive days. This rest period should be scheduled to accommodate, as far as practicable, the employee's wishes regarding religious worship, which often falls on a Sunday but can be any day.
Are there any exceptions to the 24-hour retail rest period?
The statute specifies that "every employee" in a retail establishment must be allowed this rest. While there might be practical challenges in certain operational contexts, the law does not explicitly list broad exceptions. The "as far as practicable" clause primarily applies to accommodating worship, not waiving the rest period itself.
What are the penalties for non-compliance with North Dakota's WSI requirements?
Employers who fail to secure workers' compensation coverage through WSI face significant penalties, including fines, liability for injured workers' claims, and potential criminal charges. WSI actively investigates non-compliance and can issue stop-work orders.
How does Teambridge help with North Dakota's retail rest requirements?
Teambridge's scheduling features are designed to automatically detect and flag any proposed retail employee schedule that does not include the mandatory 24-hour continuous rest period within a 7-day cycle. This proactive flagging helps managers correct potential violations before they occur, ensuring compliance with N.D.C.C. § 34-06-04.