New legislation in Maine requires certain employers to pay employees for a specific number of hours if they are asked to work and sent home early. The requirement falls under Legislative Document 598 and goes into effect on September 24, 2025.
It requires the payment of (the lesser of):
- Two hours at the regular rate of pay, or
- The total pay for the initially scheduled shift
The law applies to employers with 10+ employees in the regular and usual course of business for over 120 days in a calendar year. Employees in seasonal industries, working for public employers, and covered under collective bargaining agreements are exempt.
Other exemptions include an inability or non-requirement to work based on:
- Natural disasters
- Adverse weather
- Civil emergencies
- Medical conditions or illnesses (employee)
- Workplace injury (employee)
This article is informational and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with an employment lawyer or accountant for additional clarification on how these changes impact your company.
