HR Question:
For leave requests under the FFCRA, can we require proof that the school or place of care is closed?
Answer from Celine, SHRM-CP:
No. However, you can and should (for IRS documentation) require the following items:
-The names and ages of the child or children being cared for.
-The name of the school, place of care, or caregiver that is closed or unavailable due to COVID-19.
-A statement from the employee that no other suitable person will be caring for the child during the period of leave. If the child or children are 15 or older, the statement should include a note from the employee that there are special circumstances that necessitate care (the employee doesn’t need to explain them).
-The specific dates of the request
Important legislative update to Volunteer Emergency Responder Leave in Maine.
This policy, which applies to employers of all sizes in Maine, has been re-titled and modified to indicate that employees who volunteer for a fire department or ambulance department will receive leave to respond to emergencies (previously it only addressed firefighters). We recommend that you update this policy during your next handbook review and make sure that managers are aware of the change in the meantime.
https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/26/title26sec809.html
LEGISLATURE.MAINE.GOV
Title 26, §809: Absence for emergency response
Maine Law Alert
December 16th, 2020
Maine Minimum Wage and Salary Increase
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 higher than the federal minimum of $684 per week, so most employers will not need to take any action. However, if you believe you may have employees that are paid right at the federal minimum, we recommend double-checking and adjusting salaries as needed to ensure you’ll be in compliance with state law.
We are pleased to announce that Yarmouth Payroll Plus, Inc. will be relocating to 781 US Route 1 in May. While we have enjoyed our 20-year tenure on Main St we are very excited for this opportunity to serve our valued clients at our new location.
