For Immediate Release: September 10, 2024

Maine Dept. of Labor and NFIB continues to hold joint consultation sessions on labor law guidance for small businesses

Sessions will give businesses a chance to give their thoughts on what guidance materials would be helpful

MAINE - The Maine Department of Labor and the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) are continuing to partner to host a series of focus groups with businesses, in order to help inform the Department's work to develop a comprehensive guidance manual on Maine’s labor laws. The manual will be a publicly accessible and free resource for employers to easily understand their legal obligations. In addition to the manual being useful for employers, the Maine Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Inspectors, who enforce employment laws, will also be using the resulting guidance materials in their everyday work. This is intended to increase transparency and consistency in how violations are determined.

The sessions involve asking for feedback on formats, such as FAQs, case studies, and examples, to learn what would be the most useful in the guidance.

"We want to make it as easy as possible for employers to understand their labor law obligations," said Jason Moyer-Lee, MDOL's Director of the Bureau of Labor Standards. "And the small employers we will be consulting those with no HR departments or legal counsel on retainer are in the best position to tell us how we can most effectively communicate with them."

This joint initiative with the NFIB is part of the Department’s ongoing efforts in the area of "strategic enforcement," or using resources most effectively to achieve widespread and long-lasting compliance with labor laws. Other recent initiatives have included increasing fines, obtaining the power to order the payment of wages and liquidated damages, and monthly meetings with business and union representatives.

"This success of this project will help thousands of small business people get a better idea of key Maine labor laws and how to avoid compliance missteps," said David Clough, NFIB Maine State Director.

The Department is also excited to partner with the Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition for one of the sessions to specifically connect with business owners in the New Mainer community.

"I support this initiative as it will help educate immigrants, who are frequently confused about labor laws, especially regarding workers' rights," said Mufalo Chitam, Executive Director of the Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition.

The first session was held on August 8 at the Maine Department of Labor in Augusta.

The upcoming session information can be found below. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required:

• October 7, 2024 from 6-7:30 p.m. at MIRC in Portland in partnership with the Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition (Note: This event was originally scheduled for September 26) This session will be focused on hearing from business owners in the New Mainer community. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/labor-law-focus-group-september-26-tickets-951679578237?aff=oddtdtcreator
• November 7, 2024 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Jeff's Catering & Event Center, 15 Eventcenter Way, Brewer, ME - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/labor-law-focus-group-november-7-tickets-1009401817007?aff=oddtdtcreator
• January 2025 for agricultural/rural employers, details to be determined

Maine CareerCenters and Maine Department of Labor are equal opportunity providers.
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