Southern Maine Planning & Development Commission Resources:

SMPDC continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation. It is critical to support one another during this difficult time and we want to assure you that we are here for continued support and technical assistance. For COVID-19 updates visit our COVID-19 Resources Page which includes:

• Remote Meeting Resources

• Resources for Small Businesses and Non-Profits

• Maine COVID-19 Updates

• COVID-19 Updates in our Region

More information from the U.S. and Maine CDC:

General information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Maine CDC: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/airborne/coronavirus.shtml

Resources for Businesses and Employees

From U.S. CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/businessesemployers.html

FAQ’s from U.S. DOL about the Fair Labor Standards Act: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/flsa/pandemic

Guidance on preparing workplaces for COVID-19 by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA):  https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf

OSHA’s COVID-19 webpage: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/

Relevant Labor Law

Maine’s Family Medical Leave laws apply to an employee that has worked for the same employer for at least 12 consecutive months. The employee would be entitled to up to 10 work weeks of job-protected unpaid Family Medical Leave in any two years unless employed at a permanent work site with fewer than 15 employees. Employers may provide paid leave at their discretion.

Maine’s Family Sick Leave law states that if an employer provides paid leave, then the employer shall allow an employee to use the paid leave for the care of an immediate family member who is ill. This law section does not apply to the illness of the employee. This law gives the employee the right to choose what type of leave they are going to use, if their employer provides multiple benefits, such as sick, vacation, or personal with limitations.

Resources for Workers and Businesses on COVID-19 Larger businesses, such as businesses that have 50 or more employees, will fall under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act laws which provides up to 12 weeks of leave for a qualifying event. U.S. Department of Labor FAQ’s about federal FMLA: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla/pandemic

Maine’s Earned Paid Leave law does not go into effect until January 1, 2021. This law, when in effect, will guarantee that those employees that have accrued time will be paid for their accrued time off, up to 40 hours in one year of employment.

Work-Related Illness - If the illness is work related, the employee and employer should consult with the Maine Workers’ Compensation Board. For more information about the Worker’s Compensation Board, visit https://www.maine.gov/wcb/