Understanding the New DOL Final Rule on Salary Requirements for Exempt Employees

Understanding the New DOL Final Rule on Salary Requirements for Exempt Employees

The US Department of Labor (DOL) recently announced a Final Rule that will bring significant changes to the minimum salary requirements for white collar exemptions from the federal minimum wage and overtime pay requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This development is crucial for employers to understand and implement, as it adjusts the…

Navigating Substance Abuse and Recovery in the Workplace Part 3: Understanding FMLA

Navigating Substance Abuse and Recovery in the Workplace Part 3: Understanding FMLA

In the realm of substance abuse and recovery in the workplace, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) plays a pivotal role in addressing employee absences related to alcohol or drug-related issues. In this segment, we explore the nuances of FMLA coverage for substance abuse-related absences and the implications for employers. Coverage Under FMLA FMLA…

Substance Abuse and Recovery in the Workplace Part 2: Understanding ADA and the Maine Human Rights Act

Substance Abuse and Recovery in the Workplace Part 2: Understanding ADA and the Maine Human Rights Act

In the realm of substance abuse and recovery in the workplace, employers encounter distinct challenges governed by various laws and regulations. In this installment, we delve into the intricate landscape of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Maine Human Rights Act (MHRA) concerning both alcohol and drug abuse, clarifying the contrasting provisions for each….

Substance Abuse and Recovery in the Workplace Part 1: Understanding Workers’ Comp Exclusions

Substance Abuse and Recovery in the Workplace Part 1: Understanding Workers’ Comp Exclusions

Issues surrounding substance abuse and recovery in the workplace can present unique challenges for employers, particularly when it comes to navigating workers’ compensation claims. In part one of this three part article, we’ll explore the implications of workers’ compensation laws in cases involving substance abuse, including intoxication at the time of injury, and discuss strategies…

Navigating DOL’s New Worker Classification Rule

Navigating DOL’s New Worker Classification Rule

Today, we explore a pivotal development in employment law that could reshape your workforce structure. Anne-Marie L. Storey, Chair of Rudman Winchell’s employment practice area, sheds light on the recent changes in employment regulations. On January 9, 2023, the federal Department of Labor (DOL) introduced a final rule, transforming how workers are classified under the…

Understanding Leave Related Issues: Earned Paid Leave and Vacation Time for Maine Employers

Understanding Leave Related Issues: Earned Paid Leave and Vacation Time for Maine Employers

Leave policies can be complex and confusing for employers, especially when it comes to understanding the interaction between older laws like the Earned Paid Leave (EPL) law and new regulations regarding vacation time. In this article, we will provide an overview of the State of Maine’s Earned Paid Leave Law and discuss current laws concerning…

Celebrating Excellence: Our Attorneys Shine in New England’s Best Lawyers 2024

At Rudman Winchell, excellence is not just a goal; it’s a standard we strive to uphold in every facet of our legal practice. We are immensely proud to announce that several of our dedicated and talented attorneys have recently earned well-deserved recognition in New England’s Best Lawyers 2024. This recognition is awarded solely through peer…

Insights from our “Hiring and Handbooks” Workshop: Enhancing Your Hiring Process and Ensuring Compliance

Insights from our “Hiring and Handbooks” Workshop: Enhancing Your Hiring Process and Ensuring Compliance

Finding the right employees and navigating the legal landscape of the hiring process can be a challenging task for employers. To shed light on these crucial aspects, we recently conducted a workshop, in conjunction with UpStart Maine, titled “Hiring and Handbooks,” where top Rudman Winchell employment attorney, Anne-Marie Storey, along with Human Resources expert, Terri…

Compliance with the ETS: Initial Determination of Employee Threshold

In order to assist our clients in preparing for the new deadlines for compliance with OSHA’s ETS, this update addresses the preliminary issue of how an employer should calculate whether they meet the 100 employee threshold.    The ETS provides some information about how to calculate that number. All employees are counted, including full time, part-time,…