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Maine statutes incorporate by reference the salary requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA); therefore, the sections pertaining to any salary increase under the new federal overtime rules will be effective December 1.
The FLSA has “enterprise and individual coverages” to determine whether a business is subject to the law; however, Maine labor laws do not have such thresholds. Any business operating in the state with one employee is automatically covered by state law. This includes all public and private employers regardless of profit or size.
Employers need to review both federal and state labor laws on each particular exemption to determine applicability. Some exemptions are allowed under federal law but our state law prohibits the exemption or does not address it.
The Maine Department of Labor will be bringing forth both statutory and rules changes to better align the laws and provide clarity for workers and employers. We will provide notice as we recommend changes to the state regulations
Click here for more information about the new federal
overtime rules as relate to Maine employers.
Topics covered include:
Assistance and Additional Resources
Maine Statutes
Factors Employers Must Consider
Examples of Duties Test by Exemption Category
Frequently Asked Questions
 The Bureau of Employment Services and its CareerCenter
network has launched the new Maine JobLink, the replacement system to the Maine
Job Bank, the state’s federally required, job-matching system. Employers and
job seekers can explore the new system at maine.gov/joblink .
Features
include:
- Quickly
search jobs and get job matches.
- Get
notified of job matches via email or text.
- Access
your account from smart phones and tablets.
- Access
career information including high-growth and best-paying occupations.
- Use
activity logs to track job search information and contacts.
- Share
job postings on Facebook, LinkedIn™, Twitter, and Google+.
- Access
support for over 60 languages using Google Translate.
Employers can access wage information and information on
license and credentials relevant to the occupation as well as store, edit, and
choose from multiple job location and contact information entries in their
address book. Job postings may be sent to the National Labor Exchange (NLX)
with a single click during job posting creation. All job postings received from
the NLX automatically generate a return receipt to support full tracking for
the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs.
The Kim Wallace Adaptive Equipment Loan Program Fund Board
seeks a financial services provider to assist in the administration of the program,
also known as “mPower.” www.mpowerloans.org The loans’ seek to increase independence
and improve quality of life of people with disabilities.
The RFP is available
from the Office of the State Treasurer.
https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3879.pdf
For private-sector employers in Maine, federal OSHA’s
maximum penalties, last adjusted in 1990, will increase by 78 percent on Aug. 1
and will be annually adjusted for inflation each year thereafter. Any citations
issued by OSHA on or after Aug. 1 will be subject to the new penalties if the
related violations occurred after Nov. 2, 2015. Businesses should contact SafetyWorks! at
1-877-SAFE-345 for a no-cost, confidential consultation to assess your
workplace’s compliance and be prepared for a potential inspection.
Note: Public-sector employers that fall under the Maine
Department of Labor’s workplace safety jurisdiction will not be subject to this
penalty increase at this time.
https://www.osha.gov/dep/leps/leps.html
OSHA’s New England Regional Emphasis Program is focusing on
high-hazard occupations that may cross several industries, with several
occupations related—but not limited—to construction topping the list. These include Fall Hazards [PDF], Crane Operation in Construction [PDF], Residential Construction [PDF], Mast Climbing Work Platforms [PDF], Crystalline Silica Exposure in
Construction [PDF], Powered
Industrial Trucks [PDF], and Noise in the Workplace [PDF].
To register, contact
Steve Roy, campaign coordinator,
207-624-5156,
MaineHireAVet.DOL@maine.gov
Kick-Off, 8:30 a.m.
Hiring Fair, 9 a.m. to Noon
Military Culture 101 for employers, 1 to 2:30
p.m.—Learn about the military; structure, branches, ranks, pay grades,
culture, language, discipline, qualities you can count on when hiring veterans!
Learn about online tools for military to civilian skills translation.
Veterans traveling 40 miles or more may be eligible for free
overnight accommodations through the Hilton Honors Program. Contact:
Mark.J.Cafiso@maine.gov
Maine CareerCenters provide a variety of employment and training services at no charge for Maine workers and businesses. We assist all sizes of employers with recruiting, hiring, training, workforce services and access to labor market information. Whether your business is growing or downsizing, we can assist with job retention, expansion, and creation, as well as help workers who are facing job loss due to downsizing or closures.
- Assistance recruiting, screening and
interviewing candidates
- Training resources, including wage subsidies, to
help you train lower-skilled workers
- Bonding to protect your business when hiring
individuals with a challenging work history
- Tax credits for hiring people who face barriers
to employment
- Help accommodating workers with disabilities to
retain or hire qualified candidates
Learn more on our new and improved website!
The State Workforce Board’s Older Workers Committee is
looking for Maine’s best employers for people over the age of 50. The Silver
Collar Employer Award honors employers whose policies and practices match the
needs of mature employees, capturing their skills and experience, strong work
ethic, flexibility and enthusiasm.
Entries are due Aug. 1. Businesses may self-nominate. The
form is available at http://maine.gov/swb/documents/index.shtml
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 Brunswick Sewer Department receives SHAPE award.
Commissioner of Labor Jeanne Paquette announced on June 16 that the Brunswick Sewer Department has earned the Safety and Health Award for Public Employers (SHAPE).
SHAPE recognizes public-sector organizations that voluntary undertake a rigorous safety achievement program for their workers; Monday's award brings the total number of SHAPE certified worksites in Maine to 65.
Any state, county, municipal or other public-sector employers interested in learning more about the SHAPE designation should contact SafetyWorks! at 1-877-SAFE 345 (1-877-723-3345) or http://www.safetyworksmaine.com .
Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP)
Private sector 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
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