As we ring in a new year, state and local minimum wage rates are increasing in January.
The City of Portland, Maine is still in a state of emergency. Effective January 1, 2022, a Minimum Wage Ordinance requires that employees be paid 1.5 times the minimum wage rate for work performed during an emergency declared by the state or City if that emergency applies to the employee’s geographical workplace. With a city minimum wage of $13.00, the City of Portland’s emergency minimum wage rate is $19.50 effective January 1, 2022. The Portland City Council will review this again on January 3, 2022. Employees who work remotely are not entitled to this emergency minimum wage.
Exempt Employee Minimum Salary
In Maine, the minimum salary threshold for exempting a worker from overtime pay is also based on the minimum wage. Starting January 1, 2022, the new minimum salary threshold is $735.59 per week, or $38,251 per year. In Massachusetts and New Hampshire this amount is $684 per week or $35,568 per year following the federal standard.
Check your Employment Posters
This is a good time to check employment posters for updates to ensure they are updated and accessible to all employees, including access for those who are working remotely. See the state links below for updates including minimum wages.
https://www.maine.gov/labor/posters/
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/massachusetts-workplace-poster-requirements
https://www.nh.gov/labor/forms/mandatory-posters.htm
Have compliance or other HR questions, call KMA today!