Employer Update - Fall: Overtime Rule Workshops; Hiring Events; National Disability Employment Awareness Month

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Note: Registration is full for the October 11 and 14 HR Day events seen in a previous email. If you weren't able to register before they were full, the workshops below will offer similar content on the new Federal Overtime Rule, and you can connect with your closest Maine CareerCenter for recruiting and training information.

Register for the workshop, "Federal Overtime Rule Changes as they apply to Maine Employers."


New Federal Overtime Rule Workshops in October and November


Federal Overtime Rule Changes as they apply to Maine Employers 

October 6 and 26, and November 10, 9:30 a.m. to noon.

SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta, ME

Click to Register.

Maine statutes incorporate by reference the salary requirements under the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA). Maine employers who currently claim overtime exemptions for their employees who work in a "bona fide executive, administrative or professional capacity" will be required to comply with the new rules for these categories of workers effective December 1, 2016. This class will provide an overview of the overtime requirements including the application of state law and discuss the changes required by the new rules and the differences between federal and state overtime requirements.

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


UIC Grants Seasonal Designation for Courtesy Boat Inspection and Invasive Aquatic Plant Remediation

The Unemployment Insurance Commission granted an industry request for a seasonal designation for courtesy boat inspection (CBI) activities and invasive aquatic plant remediation to annually commence on May 15th and end on October 31st. These activities include:

  • Conducting courtesy boat inspections;
  • Providing educational materials and other program handouts to boaters and other members of the community during the inspection process or while monitoring boat launches between inspections;
  • Explaining the nature and purpose of the Courtesy Boat Inspection, the invasive plant remediation programs and the threat posed by invasive aquatic plants;
  • Surveying body of waters in preparation for conducting plant remediation; 
  • Removing invasive aquatic plants, using various methods including, but not limited to, diver assisted suction harvesting, hand harvesting, and the placement of bottom barriers;
  • Participating in CBI or plant remediation training;
  • Supervising CBI or plant remediation activities; and
  • Preparing materials and equipment (such as inspection tracking forms, bottom barriers, or DASH equipment) for use in CBI or plant remediation activities.

Employers who have these types of activities should notify Employer Services at the Bureau of Unemployment to take advantage of the benefits for reporting seasonal wages. For more information or questions regarding seasonality, employers should call 207 621-5120. 


Telecommuting Labor Laws Fact Sheet Posted Online

In the age of the Internet and Smartphones, more companies are allowing their employees to telecommute. Many employees now telecommute from a coffee shop, from home, or even from the beach. The flexibility of telecommuting has proven to be a generous perk for employees and allows an employer options to stay connected to employees when they travel away from the employer's place of business. However, the option of telecommuting brings wage and hour implications.

Click for the Fact Sheet on telecommuting labor laws


Business Forums During National Disability Employment Awareness Month Highlight Tapping a Broader Talent Pool

AUGUSTA--In observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, CareerCenters, part of the Maine Department of Labor, in central and western Maine will offer business forums in October for employers who want to learn more about finding qualified employees during a labor shortage.

The forums will include an overview of the current labor shortage and how to access untapped talent among people with disabilities, ex-offenders, and others with barriers to employment. The forum will also provide information on worker training opportunities and business tax credits available when hiring from the under-utilized workforce.

The forums will be held in four locations, with information provided by Maine CareerCenter staff:

  • Thursday, October 20, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., Skowhegan CareerCenter, 98 North Avenue, Skowhegan
  • Monday, October 24, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., Wilton CareerCenter, 865 US Route 2E, Wilton
  • Thursday, October 27, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., Augusta CareeRCenter, 21 Enterprise Drive, Suite 2, Augusta

For more information or to RSVP, contact contact Charles Woodbury at Charles.Woodbury@maine.gov or 624-5195.

Held each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is a national campaign that raises awareness about disability employment issues and celebrates the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. The theme for 2016 is "#InclusionWorks

These forums are sponsored by the Central Western Maine Workforce Development Board, the Maine Disability Employment Initiative, and the Maine Department of Labor, with support from the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration.


Department of Labor Publishes Maine Workforce Outlook to 2024

The Center for Workforce Research and Information (CWRI), part of the Maine Department of Labor, has published its 10-year forecast for the workforce for the period through 2024. The forecast examines total workforce change based on population and labor force participation expectations and examines job growth or decline among more than 80 industries and nearly 650 occupations.

Commissioner of Labor Jeanne Paquette stated, “This workforce outlook underscores the importance of connecting people who are out of work or underemployed, including people on welfare and people with disabilities, with the job skills necessary for in-demand occupations. We also need to seek new opportunities to attract workers and their families to Maine through efforts like the Hire-A-Vet campaign, Live+Work in Maine, and other collaborations. Furthermore, we must use apprenticeship and other training programs to increase the skills of our workers to attract new businesses, workers and opportunities for economic growth.”

The outlook is designed to provide information for three core purposes: to help employers address and plan for future workforce needs, to aid individuals in making informed career choices and to guide educational institutions in developing curriculum that aligns with the needs of both students and employers.

Click to Read More and to View the Report


Update: 2016 Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign 2016

A little over a month into 2016 Maine Hire-A-Vet and 84 employers have already joined the Campaign,106 jobs have been posted, and 28 veteran hires have been reported to date! 

The campaign's goal is 100+ employers hiring 100+ veterans within 100 days. Learn more at www.mainecareercenter.com/hireavet.shtml.

To join the campaign, contact Stevev Roy, campaign coordinator, 207-624-5156, MaineHireAVet.DOL@maine.gov


Three Companies earn Silver Collar Award

AUGUSTA – The State Workforce Board’s Older Worker Committee has announced 2016’s best employers for workers over the age of 50 in Maine. The awardees are:

  • R.H. Foster of Hampden
  • The Hinckley Company of Trenton
  • Goodwill Industries of Northern New England of Portland.

Click for More


Maine Veterans' Homes, Lincoln Water District Receive SHAPE Award for Safety

Jeff Day, Superintendent at Lincoln Water District, receives the SHAPE award from Pamela Megathlin, Director, Bureau of Labor Standards at Maine Depar

Jeff Day (right), Superintendent at Lincoln Water District, receives the SHAPE award from Pamela Megathlin (left), Director, Bureau of Labor Standards at Maine Department of Labor.

Commissioner of Labor Jeanne Paquette announced that Maine Veterans' Homes and Lincoln Water District have recently 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 71.

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 

Vol 3, Iss 3, Fall 2016

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How does your organization work with employment service agencies?

Diversity Partners Project of the Yang-Tan Institute on Employment and Disability at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY is seeking to better understand how your organization works with employment service agencies (e.g. staffing, American Job Centers, and community agencies) to recruit qualified candidates by completing our 10-minute anonymous survey. They are particularly interested in learning about your experiences recruiting candidates with disabilities.

Click to take the Survey


Upcoming Job Fairs

October 5 - Job Fair at the Greater Portland CareerCenter

October 19, Presque Isle - Health Care Sector Career Fair

October 25, Bangor - 19th Annual Fall Career Fair

October 24, Augusta - Job Fair at the Augusta CareerCenter


    By the Numbers

    Analysis of employment data by the Department of Labor's Center for Workforce Research and Information.

    Unemployment Rate
    4.0% in August 2016

    Civilian Labor Force (seasonally adjusted)
    689,629 in August 2016

    Payroll Employment (seasonally adjusted)
    616, in August 2016

    Data Release Schedule


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    Specializing in practical solutions to help make workplaces safer and healthier. Our services are free and confidential and we don't issue fines or citations.

    Classes available in throughout Maine, at the SafetyWorks Training Institute in Augusta, or your location.

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    Upcoming No-Cost Classes:

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