The health care and social assistance sector saw the biggest increases in new workers amid a labor shortage that has caused a crisis in access to health care.
maine department of labor
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Maine’s unemployment rate hovers near record low
The 2023 rate of 2.9% doesn’t capture the whole picture, though, because many workers have left the workforce entirely in the last few years.
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Posted inKennebec Journal, Local & State, Schools and Education
Maine schools prepare for cost of up to $13 million in first 6 months of new paid family leave program
Schools are preparing to contribute up to 1% of their employee payroll to the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Program starting in January 2025.
Posted inBusiness
Maine unemployment rate increases for 5th straight month but remains historically low
The rate of 3.2% in December was the highest it has been in 22 months, according to state data, but is still below the national rate.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Somerset County Jail paid 140 correctional officers $133,000 in overtime case
The jail violated their labor rights from 2017-19, when administrators paid correctional officers less overtime wages than they were entitled to per federal labor laws.
Posted inBusiness
Maine bumps up minimum wage starting in January
The cost of living index rose 2.4%, prompting an increase in Maine’s minimum wage, tipped wage and overtime threshold.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
More teen workers in Maine are getting hurt on the job
Maine’s Department of Labor says Maine’s tight labor market is pushing more businesses to hire teens, partly accounting for an increase in workplace violations that have included injuries.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Uncategorized
Maine unemployment fell below 3% in January
At the same time, the number of jobs in the state rose to an all-time high of 648,000.
Posted inEditorials, Opinion
Our View: Trend of child labor violations demands greater vigilance
In Maine as across the U.S., young workers are being drafted in where other workers won’t go.
Posted inLocal & State, Morning Sentinel
Sidney receives state award for workplace safety
The town is one of 17 municipalities in the state to receive the award for meeting workplace safety standards set by the state Department of Labor.