7 Benefits to Outsourcing Payroll

As a business owner, you’ve put in a lot of hard work and sacrifice for the health of your company. The highs and lows, the celebratory moments and the challenges, all combine together to form your experience as a business owner. And even though you and your team are...

What are the penalties and costs for misclassifying employees?

Answer from Kara, JD, SPHR: The answer will depend on a number of factors, such as how many employees are misclassified, how much extra money they would have been paid if properly classified, and whether or not lawyers or regulatory agencies get involved. Generally,...

What is the minimum amount of time that a salaried exempt employee must work to be paid for the entire day?

Question: What is the minimum amount of time that a salaried exempt employee must work to be paid for the entire day? Answer from Megan, SPHR, JD: If an exempt employee does any work, they must be paid for the full day—there is no minimum. For example, if an employee...

Maine Minimum Wage and Salary Increase Effective January 1, 2021

Effective January 1, 2021, Maine’s minimum wage will increase to $12.15 per hour and $6.08 per hour for tipped employees. Additionally, the minimum salary for exempt white collar employees will increase to $700.97 per week, or $36,450 per year. This is only...

Maine Law Alert: 2021 Earned Paid Leave and Minimum Wage

Minimum Wage On January 1, 2021, Maine’s minimum wage will increase to $12.15 per hour. The tipped employee direct wage will increase to $6.08 per hour. Earned Paid Leave Starting on January 1, 2021, employers that have 11 or more employees working in Maine must...

A manager of ours, who is exempt, is taking a half day to attend a social event even though they’ve exhausted all of their paid time off. Can we reduce their salary for that day?

Answer from Kyle, PHR: Not for half day, no. As a general rule, if an exempt employee performs any work during the workweek, they must be paid their full salary. If the employee were taking off one or more full days for this social event, then a deduction from their...