diff --git a/minerva.less/minerva.variables.less b/minerva.less/minerva.variables.less
index 632654cc8..e7faaa1ff 100644
--- a/minerva.less/minerva.variables.less
+++ b/minerva.less/minerva.variables.less
@@ -19,8 +19,9 @@
 @font-size-browser: 16; // Assumed browser default of `16px`.
 @font-size-root: 100%;
 @font-size-root--feature-phone: 0.8 * @font-size-root;
-@font-size-minerva-small: unit( 14 / @font-size-browser, em ); // Equals `14px` at `16px` browser default.
-@font-size-minerva-smallest: unit( 13 / @font-size-browser, em ); // Equals `13px` at `16px` browser default.
+// T282315: Use rem instead of em to avoid font-size compounding, resulting in smaller than intended text
+@font-size-minerva-small: unit( 14 / @font-size-browser, rem ); // Equals `14px` at `16px` browser default.
+@font-size-minerva-smallest: unit( 13 / @font-size-browser, rem ); // Equals `13px` at `16px` browser default.
 
 // colors
 @grayMediumLight: @colorGray10;