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Payroll Management is a family-owned and operated independent payroll processing, HR, time and attendance, and tax support services provider for small and medium-sized businesses that want personalized service from real people.
How should we handle returning personal belongings to a terminated employee? Can we pack them up for the employee?
Question: How should we handle returning personal belongings to a terminated employee? Can we pack them up for the employee? Answer from Monica, SPHR, SHRM-CP: You may pack personal belonging for the employee or ask that they come in and collect their items. My...
An employee of ours had a brief coughing fit today, but she says she just had something caught in her throat. As far as we’ve seen, she hasn’t experienced any symptoms associated with COVID-19 other than this one time. Do we need to send her home just in case?
Answer from Kyle, PHR: No. If you’ve confirmed that she isn’t experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, I would recommend treating this instance of coughing as a one-off event and not indicative of the virus. You can remind her and other employees to stay home if they are...
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...
Compliance Requirements for a Remote Workforce
According to Gallup, the number of days employees are working remotely has doubled during the pandemic. Some companies are even considering making a remote work arrangement permanent. While there are no laws that exclusively apply to remote workplaces, remote work...
COVID-19 Relief Bill: Tax Credits for Paid Leave Extended to March 31
A new $900 Billion coronavirus relief bill became law and answers the question of whether federal Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL) and Emergency Family and Medical Leave (EFMLA) will be extended. The answer is yes, but it’s an option not a requirement. Here’s what...
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 slightly...
Given the COVID-19 pandemic, should we cancel our annual holiday party?
Answer from Emily, PHR: We would certainly recommend not having an in-person event this year, which could put your company, employees, customers, and community at risk. If your event spreads the virus, your employees could become sick, much of your workforce may need...
Can a non-exempt employee manage another non-exempt employee?
Question: Can a non-exempt employee manage another non-exempt employee? Answer from Kyle, PHR: Yes, it is completely fine for non-exempt employees to manage other non-exempt employees. In fact, employers are under no obligation to classify any employees as exempt,...
Can we require that employees give notice before quitting?
Answer from Megan, SPHR, JD: Requiring departing employees to give notice could jeopardize their at-will status (if applicable). To avoid this, I recommend requesting that employees provide notice instead of requiring it. Asking for notice as a professional courtesy...
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...
Four Steps to Take When an Employee Is Diagnosed with COVID-19
As COVID-19 infection rates continue to climb, it’s imperative that organizations respond quickly when an employee is diagnosed. Here are the steps employers should take: Notify Employees Employees should be notified of potential exposure in the workplace, but they...
I’ve heard it said that termination always comes with risk. What does that mean?
Answer from Kyle, PHR: It means there’s always a risk that a terminated employee could make an issue of the termination, claiming that it was discriminatory or based on some other illegal reason. (There’s also the risk that they will bad-mouth your organization on the...
Payroll Management, Inc.
550 Center Street STE 1210
P.O. Box 1837
Auburn, ME 04211-1837
