Free Courses on Employment Law for Employers Bookmark and Share

October 11, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 11, 2013
Contact: Julie Rabinowitz, 207-621-5009

Upcoming Classes in Caribou, Rockland, Windham and Skowhegan

AUGUSTA?The Maine Department of Labor will offer sessions 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 Caribou course will be held Oct. 17 at the Emergency Management Agency Building, 121 High St., from 9 a.m. to noon. The other courses will be held Nov.13 at the Rockland CareerCenter, Nov. 14 at the Windham Town Office and Dec. 9 at the Skowhegan CareerCenter.

Although the courses are free, registration is required because seating is limited.

?We have seen tremendous business interest in these free classes, and we are glad to be offering them all over the state to make it more convenient to attend,? said Governor Paul R. LePage. ?Understanding the law prevents businesses from making costly mistakes. This course helps Maine?s business managers save time, money and aggravation when complying with state 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 addresses commonly asked employment-related questions and offers participants an opportunity to ask questions. The course also includes a discussion of employer services offered by the CareerCenters.

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. Come with your questions.?

To register, call the Maine Department of Labor at (207) 623-7900 or visit http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=Safetyworks_Classes&v=ListAll . Space is limited so reservations are required.

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.

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