Frequently Asked Questions
I was fired for an unfair reason, or for a reason that is not even true.
If you do not have a written contract, the employer has the upper hand here. However, if the employer fires you for certain reasons, the firing may be illegal. This is for reasons like age, sex, race, disability, reporting a violation of the law, asking for overtime pay, and several other reasons.
If you think that the reason that the employer gave for firing you is not the true reason, in Maine and some other states, the employer must put in writing the reasons that he fired you.
If you think that the reason that the employer gave for firing you is not the true reason, in Maine and some other states, the employer must put in writing the reasons that he fired you.
The employer still owes me money, but will not pay it to me.
The employer will have to pay it to you. The law is very strong on your side. He will have to pay a penalty to you besides and pay your lawyers fees.
I agreed to work over 40 hours without being paid extra for overtime. Can I still collect overtime even though I agreed not to take it?
Yes. Overtime pay, like minimum wage, is required by law. Your agreement to work for less means nothing.
I am paid less than men are paid for doing the same work.
This violates both state and federal law. In Maine, there is an Equal Pay law. That means that you cannot be paid less than men for doing “comparable work on jobs that have comparable requirements relating to skill, effort and responsibility.”
I am somewhat older. I think I was laid off because I was more experienced and my pay was higher. A younger person was hired to replace me and is being paid less.
Both state and federal law prohibit age discrimination. You should file a complaint with the Maine Human Rights Commission. It will be investigated at no cost to you. You should have an attorney advise you while this investigation is ongoing. This office, and others, can assist you. Often, there is no legal fee for this help.