[COMPANY NAME]

Comprehensive Employee Handbook

(State of Maine)

[// GUIDANCE: This handbook is drafted to comply with Maine and federal employment law as of the Effective Date. Counsel should review and update prior to implementation to account for new statutes, regulations, or agency guidance.]

DOCUMENT HEADER

Effective Date: [____], 20[__]
Governing Law: State of Maine & applicable federal law
Forum Selection: State courts of competent jurisdiction in Maine
Arbitration: Optional, as set forth in § VIII
Jury Waiver: None – employees retain all constitutional rights
Injunctive Relief: Limited, see § VIII.04
Indemnification: Limited to employee misconduct, see § VII.01
Liability Caps: Statutory limits only, see § VII.02

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. About This Handbook
II. Definitions
III. Employment Relationship
IV. Equal Employment Opportunity & Anti-Discrimination
V. Wage & Hour Policies
VI. Leave Policies
VII. Risk Allocation (Indemnification, Liability, Insurance)
VIII. Dispute Resolution
IX. General Provisions
X. Acknowledgment of Receipt

I. ABOUT THIS HANDBOOK

1.01 Purpose. This Employee Handbook (“Handbook”) communicates key policies, procedures, rights, and obligations applicable to all employees of [COMPANY NAME] (“Company”).

1.02 Not a Contract. Nothing in this Handbook creates an express or implied employment contract; employment remains “at-will” (§ III.01).

1.03 Supremacy of Law. If any policy conflicts with state or federal law, the law controls and the policy will be interpreted to comply with the law.

1.04 Updates. The Company may revise or rescind policies at any time with or without notice, except as limited by law.

II. DEFINITIONS

“At-Will Employment” – Employment that may be terminated by either the Company or the employee at any time, for any lawful reason, with or without cause or notice.

“Earned Paid Leave” – Paid leave mandated by 26 M.R.S. § 637.

“Employee” – All persons classified as employees on the Company’s payroll, including part-time, temporary, and seasonal workers, unless a section expressly limits coverage.

“Protected Class” – Statuses protected under federal law and the Maine Human Rights Act, including but not limited to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, national origin, familial status, and use of lawful marijuana outside the workplace.

[// GUIDANCE: Add or delete definitions to match actual policies and terminology.]

III. EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP

3.01 At-Will Status. Employment is at-will. Nothing may modify this status except a written agreement signed by the [Chief Executive Officer] and the employee.

3.02 Employee Classifications.
a. Exempt vs. Non-Exempt (Fair Labor Standards Act)
b. Full-Time, Part-Time, Temporary

3.03 Introductory Period. The first [90] days of employment are an introductory period for mutual evaluation. At-will status applies throughout.

3.04 Immigration Compliance. Employees must complete Form I-9 within three business days of hire.

IV. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY & ANTI-DISCRIMINATION

4.01 EEO Policy. The Company prohibits discrimination against any Protected Class under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Maine Human Rights Act, 5 M.R.S. §§ 4551 et seq.

4.02 Anti-Harassment. Harassment of any kind, including sexual harassment, is strictly prohibited. Complaints may be reported to [HR Contact] or [Anonymous Hotline] without fear of retaliation.

4.03 Reasonable Accommodation. The Company will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and for religious observances unless doing so causes undue hardship.

4.04 Retaliation Prohibited. No adverse action will be taken against an employee for good-faith reporting or participating in an investigation.

V. WAGE & HOUR POLICIES

5.01 Pay Periods. Employees are paid [weekly/bi-weekly] on [Day], in compliance with 26 M.R.S. § 621-A.

5.02 Minimum Wage & Overtime.
a. Maine minimum wage: $[current rate] per hour (subject to annual adjustment).
b. Non-exempt employees earn 1½ times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek.

5.03 Timekeeping. Employees must accurately record all hours worked using [system]. Alteration of time records is grounds for discipline.

5.04 Rest & Meal Breaks. Employees working six consecutive hours are entitled to a 30-minute unpaid meal break (26 M.R.S. § 601). Additional paid rest breaks are provided per Company practice.

5.05 Wage Deductions. Only lawful deductions will be taken. Voluntary deductions (e.g., benefits premiums) require written authorization.

5.06 Final Paychecks. Upon separation, final wages will be paid no later than the next scheduled payday, or within two weeks—whichever occurs first—consistent with 26 M.R.S. § 626.

VI. LEAVE POLICIES

6.01 Earned Paid Leave.
a. Eligibility. Applies to employers with 10+ employees.
b. Accrual. 1 hour accrues for every 40 hours worked, up to 40 hours per benefit year.
c. Use. Employees may use leave for any reason with at least 4 hours’ notice when foreseeable.
d. Carry-Over. Up to 40 unused hours carry over annually; accrual capped at 40.

6.02 Maine Family Medical Leave. Employees with 12 months’ tenure (and 1,250 hours in the past 12 months) may take up to 10 weeks of unpaid leave in a two-year period for qualifying reasons (26 M.R.S. § 843).

6.03 Domestic Violence Leave. Employees may take reasonable unpaid leave to address domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking (26 M.R.S. § 850).

6.04 Pregnancy & Parental Leave. Runs concurrently with federal FMLA where applicable.

6.05 Military Leave. Provided consistent with USERRA and Maine law.

6.06 Jury and Witness Duty. Employees are excused for the required period. Paid status per Company policy [INSERT].

6.07 Bereavement Leave. Up to [_____ days] for qualifying family members.

6.08 Other Statutory Leave. School participation, emergency responder, and voting leave as required by law.

[// GUIDANCE: Insert additional paid/unpaid leave benefits the Company elects to offer.]

VII. RISK ALLOCATION

7.01 Indemnification for Employee Misconduct. Employees are personally responsible and shall indemnify the Company for loss, liability, or expense arising from intentional misconduct, gross negligence, or violation of Company policy.

7.02 Limitation of Liability. Nothing in this Handbook limits remedies or damages beyond statutory caps, including but not limited to caps on punitive damages under applicable law.

7.03 Insurance. The Company maintains workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, and general liability coverage as required by law. Employees may be covered under Directors & Officers or Errors & Omissions policies when acting within the scope of duties.

7.04 Workplace Safety. Employees must comply with OSHA standards and Company safety rules. Injuries must be reported within 24 hours.

7.05 Force Majeure. Company operations may be suspended without liability due to natural disaster, governmental order, pandemic, or other events beyond reasonable control.

VIII. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

8.01 Internal Resolution. Employees should first seek informal resolution through supervision or HR.

8.02 Optional Arbitration. By separate, mutual agreement executed after any dispute arises, the parties may submit claims (except those barred from arbitration by law) to binding arbitration under the [American Arbitration Association Employment Rules]. Arbitration costs will be allocated per applicable law.

8.03 Governing Law & Forum Selection. Unless arbitration is mutually elected, any civil action shall be filed exclusively in state courts located in [County], Maine.

8.04 Limited Injunctive Relief. Either party may seek temporary injunctive relief solely to prevent irreparable harm pending final resolution.

8.05 Preservation of Rights. Nothing in this section waives any employee’s constitutional right to a jury trial where such right exists and is not voluntarily waived in accordance with law.

IX. GENERAL PROVISIONS

9.01 Amendments & Waivers. Only the [HR Director] or [CEO] may issue written amendments. Failure to enforce any provision is not a waiver.

9.02 Assignment. Employee rights and obligations are personal and may not be assigned. The Company may assign its rights to a successor entity.

9.03 Severability. If any provision is held unlawful or unenforceable, the remainder of the Handbook remains in effect, with the invalid portion reformed to the minimum extent necessary.

9.04 Integration. This Handbook supersedes all prior handbooks, manuals, and oral or written policies on the same subjects.

9.05 Electronic Signatures. Electronic acknowledgments or signatures have the same effect as originals under the Maine Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

X. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RECEIPT

I acknowledge that I have received, read, and understand the [COMPANY NAME] Employee Handbook effective __, 20_. I understand that:

• This Handbook is not a contract of employment and does not alter my at-will status;
• I am bound to comply with all Company policies;
• I may direct questions to [HR CONTACT].

[// GUIDANCE:
1. Attach separate policy statements or notices required under specific federal or state statutes (e.g., FMLA poster, OSHA notices, Payday notice).
2. Review wage, leave, and discrimination sections annually to ensure ongoing compliance with legislative changes.
3. Confirm classification of exempt employees meets both federal and Maine salary-basis and duties tests.]