Free Course on Employment Law for Aroostook Employers

June 19, 2013

July course will be at the Presque Isle CareerCenter

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 19, 2013
Contact: Julie Rabinowitz, 207-621-5009

AUGUSTA?The Maine Department of Labor has added a new session of its popular free 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.

The Aroostook course will be held on Tuesday, July 16, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Presque Isle Career Center. Although the courses are free, registration is required because seating is limited.

?There has been a lot of interest from business employers in these free classes,? said Governor Paul R. LePage. ?Understanding the law prevents businesses from making costly mistakes. This class will help Aroostook?s employers save time, money and aggravation when complying with state and federal regulations.?

This course covers wage and hour laws, including minimum wage, overtime, youth employment, severance pay, equal pay, leave requirements (family medical leave, family sick leave, and domestic violence) and break requirements. It also addresses commonly asked employment-related questions, and participants have an opportunity to ask questions. A representative from the Unemployment Tax Division will be present to speak about worker misclassification and the new law in place as of January 1, 2013, regarding the new definition of independent contractor. The course will conclude with a representative from the Career Center speaking about the job posting process.

Commissioner of Labor Jeanne Paquette said, ?The department wants to help Maine employers by giving them the answers before we give them the test. This course is designed for small business owners or staff who handle human resources and payroll functions. This is about education, not investigation.?

To register for this class, call the Department of Labor?s Customer Service Unit at 207-623-7900 or sign up online at http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=Safetyworks_Classes&v=ListAll .

The Wage and Hour Division is Maine?s regulatory agency overseeing labor and employment law; it provides both consultation and enforcement services. The division promotes and achieves compliance with labor standards to protect and enhance the welfare of Maine?s workforce.

-end-