Wrongful Termination in Maine
Maine is generally an at-will state, but some firings are illegal. Here are the exceptions, retaliation protections and where to file.
Short answer: Employers may not fire, threaten or otherwise punish an employee who in good faith reports a suspected violation of law or a health or safety risk to the employer or a public body, takes part in an investigation or court case, or refuses an illegal or dangerous order. 26 M.R.S. §833
| Whistleblower and retaliation protection | Employers may not fire, threaten or otherwise punish an employee who in good faith reports a suspected violation of law or a health or safety risk to the employer or a public body, takes part in an investigation or court case, or refuses an illegal or dangerous order. Before going to a public body, the employee generally must first report the problem to a supervisor and give the employer a reasonable chance to fix it. Source: 26 M.R.S. §833 |
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| Job discrimination complaints | Maine Human Rights Commission. The Maine Human Rights Act covers employers of any size (with limited exceptions for some religious and fraternal nonprofits). A complaint must be filed with the Commission within 300 days of the discriminatory act. Commission: https://www.maine.gov/mhrc/. Employer definition: https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/5/title5sec4553.html Source: 5 M.R.S. §4611; 5 M.R.S. §4553 |
Where to get help in Maine
More Maine employment law
- Minimum Wage in Maine
- Final Paycheck Laws in Maine
- Meal and Rest Break Laws in Maine
- Paid Sick Leave in Maine
- Non-Compete Agreements in Maine
- All Maine employment law rules
FAQ
Is it illegal to fire someone for reporting a violation in Maine?
Employers may not fire, threaten or otherwise punish an employee who in good faith reports a suspected violation of law or a health or safety risk to the employer or a public body, takes part in an investigation or court case, or refuses an illegal or dangerous order. Before going to a public body, the employee generally must first report the problem to a supervisor and give the employer a reasonable chance to fix it.
Where do I file a job discrimination complaint in Maine?
Maine Human Rights Commission. The Maine Human Rights Act covers employers of any size (with limited exceptions for some religious and fraternal nonprofits). A complaint must be filed with the Commission within 300 days of the discriminatory act.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.