This law, which was effective September 24, 2025, requires businesses who operate for more than 120 days in a calendar year, and have 10 or more employees, to pay non-exempt employees who report to work, but have their shift canceled or shortened, the lesser of two hours at the employee’s regular rate of pay, or the total amount the employee would have earned for the original scheduled shift.    

Employers who document good-faith efforts to notify workers not to report to their scheduled shifts will not be required to pay wages under the law.   

The law provides exceptions if the employee is prevented from working due to adverse weather, a natural disaster, a civil emergency, or the employee’s own illness or workplace injury.   

For additional information, visit the State of Maine Department of Labor website at https://www.maine.gov/labor/news_events/article.shtml?id=13281809. 

This information is being provided for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice.