AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Labor is tightening work search requirements for people on unemployment, reinstating the traditional work search requirements as of Sunday, May 23.

Maine had temporarily expanded the types of activities that would meet the work search requirement, adjusting to sudden closings, health concerns, school, childcare and other issues brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. Work search requirements had been relaxed because of the pandemic to include job-related education or skills development, and networking.

People receiving unemployment will be now required to actively look for work and to accept positions for which they are reasonably qualified. A refusal to accept an offer of suitable work is grounds for disqualifying a person for benefits. More information on the requirement can be found here: maine.gov/unemployment/faq/worksearch. 

In many cases, people receiving unemployment benefits can go back to work part-time and still retain the $300 weekly stipend offered by Congress through this summer. More information, including a walk-through video and “partial benefit calculator,” can be found here: maine.gov/unemployment/pub. 

Whether or not currently unemployed, people looking for work should visit Maine JobLink, to find thousands of jobs posted, including remote work. Employers can post their jobs by registering with the Maine JobLink.

CareerCenters host a variety of job fairs as well as one-on-one meetings with a consultant, to develop employment or training plans. The CareerCenter can be reached by email at MaineDOL.CareerCenter@maine.gov, by phone at 207-623-7981, or by live-chat at MaineCareerCenter.gov.

Employers who have tried to recall employees or have made job offers that have been declined can report those refusals here. The Department will determine whether the individual is receiving unemployment benefits, and, if so, determine whether they should remain eligible.

Employers can also participate in the WorkShare program, which is designed to help employers avoid layoffs by allowing groups of workers to receive partial unemployment benefit payments while their employer reduces their hours. The employees are then subject to being called back when work expands.

Upcoming virtual hiring events

For hospitality sector: May 21 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Click here for more information. 

For emergency services, law enforcement and security: May 27 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Click here for more information.