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Late last week, the Maine Department of Labor announced that it is now authorized to order emplyers to pay back wages, liquidated damages and interest to workers affected by labor law violations.  This means that under, An Act to Increase Enforcement and Accountability for Wage Violations, the Maine Departmet of Labor may require an employer to pay the worker three (3) times the amount the worker was underpaid, plus interest.

Previously, the Department’s Wage and Hour Division, could only compel an employer to pay owed wages by obtaining a judgment in court or if the employer agreed to do so in a settlement agreement.

“Employers must pay workers the wages they have earned, when they are due,” said Jason Mayer-Lee of the Bureau of Labor Standards.  “When this doesn’t happen, we have historically lacked the power to order employers to make the workers whole as well as compensate them for having had to forgo their wages. Under the new  law, we now have that power and low-paid workers will benefit as a result.”

Anyone who thinks their employment rights may have been violated, may submit a complaint here:  Employer Work Complaint Form (Office.com)