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Maine Labor Laws 2025

Maine has comprehensive labor protections including a minimum wage of $14.15/hour with annual increases, mandatory rest breaks, earned paid leave for employers with 10+ employees, and service charge distribution requirements.

Important: Maine requires 30-minute rest breaks after 6 consecutive hours of work and earned paid leave for employers with 10+ employees.

Minimum Wage

Maine has a state minimum wage that exceeds federal law and adjusts annually for cost of living.

Key Requirements

  • State minimum wage: $14.15 per hour (as of January 1, 2024)
  • Adjusted annually based on Consumer Price Index
  • Tipped employees: $7.08/hour minimum (50% of minimum wage)
  • Service charge law: Service charges must be distributed to employees
  • Applies to all employers regardless of size

Additional Resources

Overtime

Maine follows federal overtime requirements with no additional state provisions.

Key Requirements

  • Overtime pay: 1.5x regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek
  • No daily overtime requirement (calculated weekly)
  • Standard FLSA exemptions apply (executive, administrative, professional)
  • No state-specific overtime laws beyond federal requirements
  • Workweek is seven consecutive 24-hour periods

Additional Resources

Rest Breaks

Maine requires rest breaks but does not mandate meal breaks.

Key Requirements

  • Rest break: 30-minute break for every 6 consecutive hours worked
  • Break must be after 3 consecutive hours of work
  • Break is unpaid if employee is completely relieved of duties
  • No meal break requirement beyond the 30-minute rest break
  • If voluntary breaks are provided, short breaks under 20 minutes must be paid

Additional Resources

Earned Paid Leave

Maine requires earned paid leave for employees working for employers with 10+ employees.

Key Requirements

  • Applies to employers with 10 or more employees
  • Accrual: 1 hour of leave for every 40 hours worked
  • Maximum accrual: 40 hours per year
  • Can be used for any reason (sick leave, vacation, personal matters)
  • Unused leave carries over to the next year (employer may cap at 40 hours)

Additional Resources

Payment of Wages

Maine has specific requirements for wage payment frequency and timing.

Key Requirements

  • Employees must be paid at regular intervals not exceeding 16 days
  • Final wages: Must be paid by next regular payday or within a reasonable time
  • Service charges: Must be distributed to employees who provided service
  • Direct deposit allowed with employee written authorization
  • Wage deductions require written authorization

Additional Resources

Child Labor

Maine has restrictions on youth employment to protect minors.

Key Requirements

  • Work permits required for minors under 16
  • Ages 14-15: Limited to 3 hours per school day, 18 hours per week during school
  • Ages 14-15: 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week when school not in session
  • Ages 16-17: May work unlimited hours but hazardous occupation restrictions apply
  • Minors under 16 cannot work before 7am or after 7pm (9pm in summer)

Additional Resources

Service Charge Requirements

Maine has unique service charge distribution requirements:

  • Service charges added to customer bills must be distributed to service employees
  • Customers must be informed if service charges are not distributed as tips
  • Service charges are different from voluntary tips and must be handled appropriately

Earned Paid Leave Requirements

Maine's earned paid leave law provides flexibility for employees:

  • Applies to employers with 10 or more employees
  • Can be used for any reason - no documentation or explanation required
  • Employer may require up to 4 hours advance notice for foreseeable leave
  • Leave can be taken in hourly increments

Rest Break Timing

Maine's rest break requirements have specific timing:

Employees working 6 consecutive hours must receive a 30-minute break after 3 consecutive hours of work.

Example: Employee working 8am-3pm (7 hours) must receive a break after working from 8am-11am.

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