Commissioner of Labor Jeanne S. Paquette

In this Issue

• Free Courses on Employment Law for Employers
• Job Vacancy Survey Results by Sector and Occupation now Available
• Employer Services
• Employer Contacts
• Commissioner's Corner: Legislative Update
• Commissioner Paquette on May 21 Global Workforce Panel
• Maine Unemployment Rate 5.0 percent in February
• Nominations Sought for Annual Deaf Culture Awards
• More than 175 recruiters meet job seekers at 5th Annual York County Regional Job Fair
• Looking SHARP
• MDOL at the Maine HR Convention in May
• Job Fairs

Free Courses on Employment Law for Employers

The Maine Department of Labor will offer sessions of its popular, no-charge course that educates employers and the public about regulations governing the workplace. The "Laws Governing Workplace Rights" classes are taught by staff of the Wage and Hour Division of the Bureau of Labor Standards.

May 14 - SafetyWorks! Training Institute at the Maine Department of Labor, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

June 2 - Lewiston CareerCenter, 5 Mollison Way, Lewiston

June 4 - Bangor CareerCenter, 45 Oak Street, Suite 4, Bangor

June 9 - York County CareerCenter, 9 Bodwell Court, Springvale

June 10 - Rockland Career Center, 91 Camden Street, Suite 201, Rockland

June 16 - Greater Portland CareerCenter, 151 Jetport Boulevard, Portland

June 18 - Presque Isle CareerCenter, 66 Spruce Street, Suite 1, Presque Isle

June 24 - Wilton CareerCenter, 865 US Route 2E, Wilton

June 25 - Skowhegan CareerCenter, 98 North Avenue, Suite 20, Skowhegan

Click for more and to register.

Job Vacancy Survey Results by Sector and Occupation now Available

During the Fall of 2014, Center for Workforce Research and Information (CWRI) at the Maine Department of Labor surveyed 2,400 private firms to gather information about hiring demand for use by job seekers, employers and policymakers. These data, gleaned directly from Maine employers, provide a unique snapshot of the recent job market.

CWRI has released its second and third blogs in a series summarizing the results of the survey:

A Look at Job Vacancies by Sector

A Look at Job Vacancies by Occupation

We invite you to view the first report of survey findings, posted as a blog on the department’s Center for Research and Information website.

Employer Services

Hiring Assistance

Maine Apprenticeship Program

Maine’s Job Bank

Work Experience for ASPIRE Participants

Inclusion of people with disabilities into the workforce

Employer Contacts

Email: mdol@maine.gov

Phone:

Department of Labor Customer Service
(207) 623-7900

Unemployment Tax
(207) 621-5120

CareerCenters
1-888-457-8883

Foreign Labor Certification
(207) 623-7900

Work Opportunity Tax Credit
(207) 623-7981
1-888-457-8883

Wage and Hour / Youth Employment / Overtime
(207) 623-7900

SafetyWorks!
(207) 623-7900

Rehabilitation Services
1-800-698-4440

Center for Workforce Research and Information
(207) 623-7900

Hiring people with disabilities
1-855-ALL-HIRE

Free Labor Posters

TTY users dial Maine Relay 711.

Mail
Maine Department of Labor 54 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333

Social Media Links for the Department of Labor, CareerCenters and SafetyWorks!

A service of the Maine Department of Labor

Paul R. LePage

Governor

Jeanne S. Paquette

Commissioner

Commissioner's Corner: Legislative Update

The Legislative Session is in full swing and the Department of Labor has submitted bills we feel would be of interest to employers. Whichever side you stand on the issue, we encourage you to read more about each bill at http://legislature.maine.gov, reach out to your senator or representative, and/or learn more on how you can testify on an issue to a committee. 

The following three bills are awaiting LD numbers. Stay up to date on these and other laws, including a schedule of public hearings, being heard by the Joint Select Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development at http://legislature.maine.gov/committee/#Committees/LCED

An Act to Simplify Employer Substance Abuse Testing Requirements – 26 MRSA §§681-690

The Department feels the current process for implementing a substance abuse testing policy in Maine is cumbersome, complicated and costly for employers. This bill simplifies and clarifies employer substance abuse testing requirements.

An Act to Conform Maine Law to Federal Law Regarding closings and Mass Layoffs and Strengthen Employee Severance Pay Protections – 26 MRSA 625-B

Recent closings at several paper mills in the State prompted the Governor’s office and the Department to amend this section of law to improve protections for employees of affected establishments. During the review, we noticed sections of the law that needed clarification to more clearly align with the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN).

An Act To Conform Maine Law to Federal Law and Simplify the Work Permitting Process for Minors – 26 MRSA §§ 771-777

In most sections of Maine law regarding minors, state law is more restrictive than federal law. The bill proposes to make it easier for minors to obtain employment, which can help them develop valuable work skills at a younger age.

Public hearings have been scheduled for the following bills.

LD 699 - An Act To Update Maine Law To Conform to New Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration Regulations

Under current law, a person in charge of a workplace is required to report in writing or by telephone to the Director of the Bureau of Labor Standards the death of any person in the workplace or a serious physical injury requiring hospitalization sustained by a person in the workplace. 

This bill:

• Replaces the requirement to report in writing or by telephone with a requirement to report by telephone or electronically.
• Provides that the report may be made to the director or the director's designee.

LD 700 - An Act Regarding the Industry Partnership Assistance Collaborative's Grant Program

• Changes the laws governing the Office of the Governor, Industry Partnership Assistance Collaborative's grant program.
• Changes eligibility requirements for the grant program by reducing the grant program's required private sector matching funding or, by the IPAC’s discretion, exempting businesses with fewer than 25 employers

LD 701 - An Act To Modify Unemployment Insurance Successor Law

This bill changes the treatment of unemployment contribution rate assignment in successor transactions. 

Commissioner Paquette on May 21 Global Workforce Panel

Maine International Trade Day: Building a Workforce for Global Success
May 21, 8:30 am to 2:30 pm
Samoset Resort, Rockport, ME

Maine businesses are becoming increasingly globally-oriented. As companies build their internal workforce and external sales and distribution operations, how can they best manage and leverage diversity? This panel will discuss how colleges are preparing students for a global workplace, human resource efforts in building effective global teams, and successful cross-cultural strategies when doing business in the international arena.

Click to learn more.

Maine Unemployment Rate 5.0 percent in February

State Labor Commissioner Jeanne Paquette released February workforce estimates for Maine.

Seasonally Adjusted Statewide Data

Household Survey Estimates – The preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 5.0 percent for February was down from 5.2 percent in January and 5.9 percent one year ago. The number of unemployed declined 7,300 over the year to 34,400. The unemployment rate was the lowest since April 2008.

March data will be released Tuesday, April 21.

Read the full release.

Nominations Sought for Annual Deaf Culture Awards

The Maine Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened seeks nominations for the annual awards presented during the state’s Deaf Culture Week celebration. The 2015 tea in celebration of Deaf Culture Week will take place on Thursday, September 17, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the State House Hall of Flags.

The Commission seeks nominees for the following five awards:

• The Promoting of American Sign Language, Deaf Culture and Deaf People Award
• The Outstanding Citizenship Award
• The Citizenship Youth Award
• The Ginny Hewes Advocate for the Needs of the Deaf Community Award
• The Special Commendation Award

Click here to learn more about these awards and the nomination process.

More than 175 recruiters meet job seekers at 5th Annual York County Regional Job Fair

Following four months of planning, logistics and employer recruitment by the York County CareerCenter, Sanford-Springvale Chamber of Commerce, Maine Military and Community Network, Goodwill – Workforce Solutions, York County Community College and Sanford Regional Technical Center, Maine's largest job fair opened for job seekers on March 27.

Department of Labor Commissioner Jeanne Paquette welcomed over 175 recruiters, representing 89 Maine and New Hampshire employers, to the 5th Annual York County Regional Job Fair at the Nasson Community Center in Springvale. Throughout the four-hour event, a steady flow of over 500 job seekers networked with recruiters while representatives from the Department of Labor promoted a myriad of programs and services for job seekers and employers.

Bookmark this webpage to stay current on available job fairs hosted at or sponsored by the CareerCenter.

Looking SHARP

Commissioner of Labor Jeanne Paquette announced that Atlantic Boat Company in Brooklin and SFX America in Portland have each earned the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program Award (SHARP) in recognition of their rigorous safety achievement programs. 

Atlantic Boat Company

Atlantic Boat Company is a family owned business and builders of Duffy and BHM commercial boats and yachts.

SFX America

SFX America is a Maine-based corporation that specializes in high-efficiency production, secure fulfillment programs and streamlined outsourced services.

About SHARP:

Acceptance into SHARP by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recognizes this worksite as a model for safety and health standards.

To qualify for SHARP, companies voluntarily undergo a comprehensive safety audit, correct all hazards identified during an onsite health and safety consultation, demonstrate that effective safety and health programs are in place and maintain injury rates below the industry average for the last year of completed data. After awarding the SHARP designation, OSHA removes the worksite from its general scheduled inspection list for two years. If the company continues to meet all conditions of the program, the SHARP designation may be renewed for another two years.

Employers interested in learning more about the SHARP designation should contact SafetyWorks! at 1-877-SAFE 345 (1-877-723-3345) or http://www.safetyworksmaine.com .

MDOL at the Maine HR Convention in May

May 5-8, Samoset Resort

Rockport, ME

The Maine Department of Labor is proud to be an exhibitor at the annual Maine HR Convention.

If you're attending, stop by and see us May 5-8 at booth A8 and our SafetyWorks! program at booth A7.

Booth A8

May 5 - Bureau of Rehabilitation Services

Bureau Director Karen Fraser and Wendy Jordan, Business Relations Consultant, are available to answer your questions on accommodating employees with disabilities, or tapping into the pool of employing people with disabilities.

May 6 - Wage and Hour

Bureau of Labor Standards Director Pam Megathlin and Wage and Hour Division Director Verna Eldridge can help you address wage and workplace rights related issues.

May 7 - Unemployment Tax

Field Advisor and Examiner Joshua Atkinson is ready to take your unemployment tax questions, while Unemployment Compensation Team Leader Kerry Gross can introduce you to our State Information Data Exchange System (SIDES), which makes reporting separation and wage information easier.

May 8 - Employer Services and State Workforce Investment Board 

The Department of Labor offers various recruitment services and training programs through the CareerCenters. Learn about these and more from Lewiston CareerCenter Manager Mary LaFontaine. Deputy Director Paul Leparulo of the State Workforce Investment Board is interested in your input on training and workforce development at your organization.

Booth A7

May 5-8 - SafetyWorks!

Specializing in practical solutions to help make workplaces safer and healthier, our staff at booth A7 can help you learn about ways to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses and deaths and reduce related costs. Our services are free and confidential and we don't issue fines or citations.

Follow #MEHRC2015 on social media during the conference!

Job Fairs

April 16: Calais Job Fair, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Washington County Community College Gymnasium

April 23, Job / Resource Fair, 9 a.m. to Noon, Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School cafeteria, 256 Main Street, South Paris

April 27: Job Fair at the Augusta CareerCenter, 3 to 6 p.m.

April 29: Career Fair, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Kennebec Valley Community College, Fairfield

May 4: Job Fair at the Lewiston CareerCenter, Time TBD

May 6: Job Fair at the Greater Portland CareerCenter, Noon to 3 p.m.

May 13: 8th Annual Regional Job Fair, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., Warsaw Middle School, Pittsfield

May 14: Government Jobs Job Fair, Augusta Armory, Augusta

Want to participate in an upcoming job fair? Need help with recruitment or training? Contact your local CareerCenter and ask for the Business Services Representative or CareerCenter Manager. Follow your local CareerCenter on social media.

TTY users call Maine Relay 711

Augusta CareerCenter
21 Enterprise Drive, Suite 2
Augusta, ME 04333-0109
Tel: (207) 624-5120
augusta.careercenter@maine.gov

Tri-County CareerCenter
45 Oak Street, Suite 3
Bangor, ME 04401-7902
Tel: (207) 561-4050
bangor.careercenter@maine.gov

Southern Midcoast CareerCenter
275 Bath Road, Suite #3
Brunswick, Maine 04011
Tel: (207) 373-4000
brunswick.careercenter@maine.gov

Calais CareerCenter
One College Drive
Calais, ME 04619-0415
Tel: (207) 454-7551
calais.careercenter@maine.gov

Lewiston CareerCenter
5 Mollison Way
Lewiston, ME 04240-5805
Tel: (207) 753-9001
lewiston.careercenter@maine.gov

Machias CareerCenter
53 Prescott Drive, Suite 1
Machias, ME 04654
machias.careercenter@maine.gov

Greater Portland CareerCenter
NEW LOCATION!
151 Jetport Boulevard
Portland, ME 04102
Tel: (207) 822-3300
portland.careercenter@maine.gov

Presque Isle CareerCenter
66 Spruce Street, Suite 1
Presque Isle, ME 04769-3222
Tel: (207) 760-6300
presqueisle.careercenter@maine.gov

Rockland CareerCenter
91 Camden Street, Suite 201
Rockland, ME 04841-3424
Tel: (207) 596-2600
rockland.careercenter@maine.gov

Skowhegan CareerCenter
98 North Avenue
Skowhegan, ME 04976-1923
Tel: (207) 474-4950
skowhegan.careercenter@maine.gov

York County CareerCenter
9 Bodwell Court
Springvale, ME 04083
Tel: (207) 324-5460
springvale.careercenter@maine.gov

Wilton CareerCenter
865 US Route 2E
Wilton, ME 04294-6649
Tel: (207) 645-5800

SafetyWorks! specializes in practical solutions to help make workplaces safer and healthier.

SafetyWorks!, at no charge to your business, can help you prevent work-related injuries, illnesses and deaths and reduce related costs. Our services are confidential and we don't issue fines or citations.

Click to register

Mine Safety and Health Administration - Refresher: April 16, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., York County CareerCenter, 9 Bodwell Court, Springvale

Ladder Safety: April 17, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Establishing an Effective Safety Committee: April 23, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Bangor CareerCenter, 45 Oak Street, Bangor

OSHA Recordkeeping: April 24, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Westbrook Public Safety, 570 Main Street, Westbrook