Free course planned
on agricultural workplace labor laws
AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Labor is offering a free course that focuses on state unemployment law and federal wage and hour laws that regulate agricultural operations. The “Labor Laws Related to Agricultural Workplaces” class is taught by staff of the Bureau of Unemployment Compensation and includes Wage and Hour staff of the U.S. Department of Labor.
The course will be held Tuesday, Aug. 20 from 2-5 p.m. at the Presque Isle Career Center. Although the course is free, registration is required because seating is limited.
“Modern agriculture is a complex and challenging business,” said Gov. Paul R. LePage. “This free course can remove some of that complexity and will give farmers and managers an opportunity to get answers to their employment questions.”
This seminar covers agricultural applications of wage and hour laws including minimum wage, overtime, youth employment, severance pay, equal pay, leave requirements (family medical leave, family sick leave and domestic violence) and break requirements. It also addresses commonly asked labor-related questions.
“The department wants to help Maine employers by giving them the answers before we give them the test,” said Commissioner of Labor Jeanne Paquette. “This course is specially designed for farmers and agricultural businesses and their human resource or benefits professionals, accountants, owners, managers or payroll supervisors.”
To register for the class, call the Department of Labor’s Customer Service Unit at 623-7900 or sign up online at http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=Safetyworks_Classes&v=ListAll.
