Earned Paid Leave
If you are looking for information on the Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program starting in 2025, please follow this link: https://www.maine.gov/labor/pfml/
This law establishes a minimum standard for paid time off in the State of Maine. Covered employers must meet this minimum standard, but the law does not require an employer to limit or reduce existing paid time off benefits. Many employers may already have a paid time off policy that meets or exceeds the minimum requirements of this law.
It is a legal requirement for all employers to post Maine’s Regulation of Employment poster in all workplaces. The most current poster is under the Regulation of Employment Postersl
Brief Points About the New Law
- Effective on January 1st, 2021.
- Includes all industries except for seasonal industries as defined by 26 M.R.S. sub-section 1251.
- Applies to employers with more than 10 employees in Maine for more than 120 days in any calendar year. (See definition of Employer in Seasonal Industries
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bureau has compiled lists of frequently asked questions and answers from the Earned Paid Leave listening sessions held in the Fall of 2019, public comments received on the proposed Rules, public webinar sessions in 2020, stakeholder meetings, and conversations among the Maine Department of Labor staff.
Frequently Asked Questions - General
- Who is Covered by Earned Paid Leave
- Calculating the Base Rate of Pay
- Accrual of Earned Paid Leave
- Seasonal Exemption
- Using Earned Paid Leave and Notice Requirements
- Payout of Unused Earned Paid Leave and Separation of Employment
- Rollover of Unused Earned Paid Leave
- Other Questions
Frequently Asked Questions - Schools
Frequently Asked Questions - Municipalities
Download the Frequently Asked Questions
- Download the General Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
- Download the Frequently Asked Questions - Schools (PDF)
- Download the Frequently Asked Questions - Municipalities (PDF)
For More Information
- Final Responses to Public Comments on Earned Paid Leave (PDF)
- The Poster
- The Law
- The Rules (PDF)
- Frequently Asked Questions - Schools (PDF)
- Frequently Asked Questions - Municipalities (PDF)
- Detailed Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
- Earned Paid Leave Presentation Slides (PDF)
