Back in March, we reported that the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) had released proposed regulations adjusting the salary level required for the executive, administrative, and professional employee (EAP), or so-called “white-collar” exemptions from the FLSA’s overtime pay requirements. The USDOL has now issued its Final Rule, which is set to take effect on January 1, 2020. Read More
The First Regular Session of the 129th Maine Legislature has adjourned, leaving a number of new laws for us all to understand and comply with. Listed below by topic area are what we believe are some of the most important new laws for our clients and readers to know about. We have provided summaries to highlight the major effects of these new laws, but as always, there are details. Please let us know if you are interested in how these new laws might affect you or your business, institution, or governmental body.
The new laws listed below become effective on September 19, 2019 except as otherwise specified.
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Governor Mills signed into law “An Act to Promote Keeping Workers in Maine” (26 M.R.S. §§599-A and 599-B), set to become effective September 19, 2019, placing significant limitations on the use of employee noncompete agreements and prohibiting agreements among employers not to solicit or hire each other’s employees. In passing this legislation, Maine joins its New England neighbors, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, in restricting the use and enforceability of noncompete agreements and joins the national trend in striking down so-called “no poaching” agreements. Read More
Joining a number of other states, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Vermont here in New England, Maine has enacted legislation prohibiting employers from seeking salary history information from prospective employees. Signed...
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The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) released proposed regulations on March 7, 2019 adjusting the salary level required for the executive, administrative, and professional employee (EAP) exemptions from the FLSA’s...
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Remember the scramble two years ago to prepare for the new federal overtime rule that would have increased the salary threshold level for “white-collar” exemptions from $23,660 to $47,476, only...
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On May 21, 2018, the United States Supreme Court issued an opinion (5-4) that upheld class-action waivers in arbitration agreements. The ruling gives businesses the ability to prevent employees from joining...
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As summer approaches, employers across the state will begin to receive resumes from students seeking practical work experience through internships. While internships can provide a great experience for both employers...
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On April 2, 2018, the Supreme Court issued its highly anticipated ruling in Encino Motorcars, LLC v. Navarro, holding that service advisors at an automobile dealership are exempt from the...
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Last year, we reported on the Final Rule published by the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) updating its White Collar exemption regulations. The Final Rule raised the minimum salary...
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On July 17, 2017, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a revised Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. Form I-9 is used to verify the identity and employment authorization...
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The U.S. Department of Labor (the “DOL”) recently published a Final Rule updating its White Collar overtime exemption regulations. The Final Rule will become effective on December 1, 2016. The...
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Students seeking practical job experience pursue unpaid internships in hopes of gaining valuable “real world” experience. The question that employers must answer, however, is whether such individuals can actually be...
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As social media develops and matures, companies are realizing that platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram can be used to reach customers and clients in ways that traditional...
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An employee handbook is an important tool for all employers, large or small. An employee handbook serves to communicate important information such as the history and mission of the company...
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In today's workplace, employees commonly use their own electronic devices for work-related tasks, such as responding to work-related emails, accessing company servers and data, reviewing and editing company documents, and...
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