Employers Should Prepare Now For ME’s New Earned Paid Leave Law

By: Shiloh Theberge

What You Should Know

Now is the time to act! In 2019, ME became the first state in the nation to require nearly all employers to pay their employees up to 40 hours per year in earned leave for any reason when the Legislature passed the ME Earned Paid Leave law (“MEPL”).

The MEPL goes into effect in less than two months – on January 1, 2021. If you have not already done so, now is the time to ensure that your leave policies are compliant with the MEPL and that your payroll systems are configured appropriately to handle any necessary changes before the MEPL goes into effect.

The MEPL sets forth a number of new, detailed requirements, including:

• Providing leave to part-time employees
• Allowing employees to carry over leave at the end of the year
• Requiring employers to allow employees to take leave for emergencies with minimal notice.

Bottom Line

Our experienced employment attorneys can work with you to determine how to incorporate the MEPL into your existing leave policy, revise your existing leave policy to comply with the MEPL, or draft a new policy. Learn more about our Labor & Employment Practice Group or contact us.