Federal & State Regulations | Final paycheck - Maine | J. J. Keller® Compliance Network

State Info

Summary of differences between federal and state regulations

Employers are not required by federal law to give former employees their final paycheck immediately. Some states, however, may require immediate payment or payment within a specific time period.

In Maine, for either voluntary or involuntary termination the final paycheck must be paid on the next regular payday or no later than two weeks of written demand, whichever is earlier. (Maine Revised Statute Title 26-§626.)

On April 7, the governor signed legislation called “An Act Regarding the Treatment of Vacation Time upon the Cessation of Employment.” The law requires employers that have more than ten employees to pay out all accrued, unused vacation time — pursuant to an employer’s vacation policy — when an employee separates from a company, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, it seems. The law goes into effect on January 1, 2023.