What New Pay Transparency Law in Maine Means For You

For many who have been seeking a job in Maine, it has felt like a bit of a cat-and-mouse game.

On many job sites like Indeed, employers across the state have job postings that detail work requirements, benefits and expectations.

What many of those job listings don't include? Rate of pay.

That's about to change statewide as Maine has joined a handful of other states across the nation by enacting a 'pay transparency' law.

Employers in Maine Now Required to List Salary Range in Job Postings

According to Maine.gov, those job postings listed on various websites will have to be a little more clear moving forward.

The new pay transparency law in Maine requires any company with 10 or more employees statewide to clearly showcase a pay range that would match what a prospective employee would be offered for that job.

The law also allows a prospective employee to request a disclosure on what a previous employee made for holding the same position or what a current employee is being paid for similar work.

New Pay Transparency Law in Maine Reaffirms Two Existing Laws For Employees

Along with employers in Maine being required to be more forthright when it comes to salary, the new pay transparency law also reaffirms two previously enacted laws that some employers and employees may have been unaware of.

Employers are not allowed to discourage employees from discussing their pay with other employees under Maine law. That includes salary, bonuses and beyond.

Employers are also not allowed to ask prospective employees what they previously made elsewhere. If the employee wishes to disclose that at free will, that's acceptable. Under Maine law. an employer can not make that a requirement.