In Maine, employers are given a lot of freedom when writing employee contracts. For example, under Maine law employers tin change an employee'south pay rate at any time if they give the employee 24-60 minutes notice. This means that if you have questions about your pay, you should outset by looking at your employment contract and your employer's work policies. Just there are also some basic legal provisions that ensure employees are paid regularly for their piece of work.

When must Paychecks Be Sent Out?

In Maine, employers are required to pay all wages due to employees at least every 16 days. This requirement applies whether you are paid by the hr or piece of work on a set salary. If you are absent from work on a payday, you tin demand payment at whatever subsequently time.

What Happens if You are Fired?

Regardless of whether an employee is fired or quits, an employer is required to pay for whatsoever wages earned upwardly until the last mean solar day of employment.  If your employer provides paid vacation days, you have a right to exist compensated for any unused vacation days. To obtain any wages owed later on your employment is concluded, you lot must first provide a written need to the employer'south payroll office. The demand should be dated, signed, and clearly depict what the employer still owes you and why.

Its a good thought to keep a copy of the demand in case there is a later dispute.  Afterwards making such a request, your employer must pay any wages owed to you by the next scheduled payday or within xiv days, whichever occurs kickoff.

Can Your Paycheck be Garnished?

Most creditors tin can obtain the right to garnish wages but only after taking the issue to a local courtroom and having a approximate acknowledge your failure to pay what is owed.  Nevertheless, sure debts can cause your paycheck to be garnished without a court proceeding, such equally:

  • unpaid income taxes;
  • courtroom ordered child back up;
  • back-due kid support and
  • defaulted student loans.

Generally, the amount that can be garnished from a weekly paycheck is capped at the lesser of 25% of a accept-dwelling paycheck or 40 times the state minimum wage (which would be $360 in 2017; $400 in 2018; $440 in 2019; and $480 in 2020).

Tin You Recover a Withheld Paycheck?

Employers cannot withhold or garnish any part of an employee's wages unless:

  • given the power under federal or state law; or
  • the employee has given written permission for their employer to withhold funds for a lawful purpose (ex: Social Security and Medicare deductions).

However, if an employer wrongly refuses to consequence a pay cheque or fails to pay the full amount of the wages due, then the employee can file a claim in small claims court.

Where Can Y'all Find the Right Lawyer?

If you think your rights as an employee have been violated and are looking for an attorney to help you with a paycheck related issue, and then contact a local Maine employment lawyer today to get the help you demand.