fb88 Dept. of Labor and NFIB to hold joint consultation sessions on labor law guidance for small businesses

July 23, 2024

For Immediate Release: July 23, 2024

fb88 Dept. of Labor and NFIB to hold joint consultation sessions on labor law guidance for small businesses

Sessions will give businesses a chance to give their thoughts on what guidance materials would be helpful

MAINE - The fb88 Department of Labor and the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) - are partnering to host a series of focus groups with businesses, in order to help inform the Department's work to develop a comprehensive guidance manual on fb88s labor laws. The manual will be a publicly accessible and free resource for employers to easily understand their legal obligations. In addition to the manual being useful for employers, the fb88 Department of Labors Wage and Hour Inspectors, who enforce employment laws, will also be using the resulting guidance materials in their everyday work. This is intended to increase transparency and consistency in how violations are determined.

The sessions will involve asking for feedback on formats, such as FAQs, case studies, and examples, to learn what would be the most useful in the guidance.

"We want to make it as easy as possible for employers to understand their labor law obligations," said Jason Moyer-Lee, MDOL's Director of the Bureau of Labor Standards. "And the small employers we will be consulting those with no HR departments or legal counsel on retainer are in the best position to tell us how we can most effectively communicate with them."

This joint initiative with the NFIB is part of the Departments ongoing efforts in the area of "strategic enforcement," or using resources most effectively to achieve widespread and long-lasting compliance with labor laws. Other recent initiatives have included increasing fines, obtaining the power to order the payment of wages and liquidated damages, and monthly meetings with business and union representatives.

"This success of this project will help thousands of small business people get a better idea of key fb88 labor laws and how to avoid compliance missteps," said David Clough, NFIB fb88 State Director.

The Department is also excited to partner with the fb88 Immigrants' Rights Coalition for one of the sessions to specifically connect with business owners in the New fb88r community.

"I support this initiative as it will help educate immigrants, who are frequently confused about labor laws, especially regarding workers' rights," said Mufalo Chitam, Executive Director of the fb88 Immigrants' Rights Coalition.

The session information can be found below. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required:

  • August 8, 2024 from 9-10:30 a.m. at 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta, in the Frances Perkins Room:
  • September 26, 2024 from 6-7:30 p.m. at MIRC in Portland in partnership with the fb88 Immigrant Rights Coalition, this session will be focused on hearing from business owners in the New fb88r community.
  • November 7, 2024 in Bangor, location and time to be determined
  • January 2025 for agricultural/rural employers, details to be determined