Hiring
Advertising
What are the requirements relating to advertising open positions?
There are no state-specific requirements, except that hiring practices (including job advertisement) are subject to the Maine Human Rights Act (MHRA), which prohibits employment discrimination based on protected class.
Background checks
(a)Criminal records and arrests
Generally, employers in Maine may condition offers of employment on the satisfactory completion of a criminal history record check. For instance, criminal background checks are required before hiring school personnel. 20-A M.R.S.A. § 6103.
Maine has adopted the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which parallels the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act. 10 M.R.S.A. § 1306 et seq. Maine has not clarified whether an employer checking references has to comply with the requirements of the Maine Act.
Public Law 404, which became effective October 18, 2021, prohibits employers from requesting criminal history record information on initial employee application forms or stating that a person with a criminal history may not apply or will not be considered for a position. An employer may inquire about an applicant’s criminal history record information during an interview or once the prospective employee has been determined otherwise qualified for the position, provided the applicant is given the opportunity to explain; and employers may otherwise ask for criminal histories on applications and limit eligibility based on them if federal or state...
Chief Douglas Otaru, the former publicity secretary who was recently removed from his position following the APC state congress, was quoted as making several allegations against Dr. Aliyu Bello, t...