Maine PFML is new for everyone
Contributions started in 2025 and employees began taking paid leave on May 1, 2026. Employers need a process for requests, job protection and coordination with existing PTO.
HR & payroll in Portland, ME
HR and payroll support for Portland and Southern Maine employers.
Maine's paid family and medical leave benefits started in 2026, and employers are still sorting out the details. Portland-area businesses use us to manage leave, payroll and hiring, billed only for the hours they need.
- $0 in months you don't need us
- On site in Portland
- Any payroll system
Southern Maine
What we see from Portland employers.
Hospitality swings with the season
Restaurants, hotels and tourism businesses in Greater Portland staff up every summer. Seasonal hiring and onboarding need to be repeatable.
Healthcare and marine trades compete for workers
Hospitals, home care agencies, boatyards and shipbuilders all pull from the same small labor pool. Retention and clear pay structures matter.
What you get
An HR team that knows your name.
Portland is about three hours from Ludlow, so we plan on-site days in advance for trainings, seasonal onboarding and open enrollment. Day-to-day support happens by phone, text, email and video.
- A dedicated HR specialist who learns your business, with a backup team for coverage
- Owners and managers can call or text nights and weekends
- Employees reach us by email, ticket, text, video call or on site
- We work in the tools you already use: ADP, Paychex, Gusto, Paylocity, Rippling, QuickBooks, BambooHR, Slack and Teams
- A quarterly leadership review with clear, prioritized recommendations
- Kickoff within days, sooner when something is urgent
- Recruiting billed by the hour instead of a 20 to 25 percent placement fee
- You keep your company, your payroll provider and your benefit plans
Maine rules we keep you on top of
- Maine PFML benefits are liveContributions started in 2025 and employees could start taking paid leave on May 1, 2026. The rate is 1% of wages at 15 or more employees, split evenly.
- Pay transparency, new for 2026Since July 29, 2026, employers with 10 or more employees must post pay ranges and keep pay records for three years.
- Earned paid leaveEmployers with more than 10 employees must provide one hour of paid leave per 40 worked, up to 40 hours a year.
- Minimum wage$15.10 statewide in 2026 and $15.70 in 2027. Portland sets its own, higher rate.
How billing works
Pay for the months you need us. $0 for the ones you don't.
No retainer and no monthly minimum. Hands-on work is billed by the hour, and a quiet month has no hourly bill at all.
- Hourly for hands-on work
- No monthly minimum
- Optional tools, flat and small
- Everything in writing first
Where we help
What Portland clients hand us most.
Leave management (FMLA & PFML)
FMLA, state paid leave and ADA handled correctly.
Learn more about Leave management (FMLA & PFML)Payroll outsourcing
Accurate, on-time payroll and filings, every cycle.
Learn more about Payroll outsourcingRecruiting & hiring
Right-fit hires without the agency markup.
Learn more about Recruiting & hiringIndustries we support in Portland
Skilled nursing & senior careHealthcare practicesConstruction & tradesNonprofits & schoolsRetail & hospitality
Also serving
South Portland, Westbrook, Scarborough, Falmouth, Cape Elizabeth, Gorham, Saco, Biddeford, Brunswick, Lewiston and the rest of Southern Maine.
How it works
Start with a 15-minute call.
Free 15-minute call
Tell us what is going on. You will get honest feedback on what to fix first, even if you never hire us.
A clear scope
We put the plan, the team and the hourly rate in writing before any work starts.
Ongoing support
Your HR and payroll team takes it from there. Scale hours up or down whenever you need.
What clients say
“King & Co. Consulting stands out as a practical, results-driven firm that focuses on real-world execution, not just theory. Their team brings a strong mix of operational experience and strategic insight, which makes collaboration both productive and grounded.”
HR in Portland: common questions
Can you help us manage Maine paid family and medical leave requests?
Yes. We set up the request and documentation process, coordinate Maine PFML with FMLA and your PTO policy, and handle job protection and return-to-work questions.
Do you work with seasonal businesses in Maine?
Yes. Hourly billing is a good fit for seasonal employers. Support ramps up for spring hiring and drops off in the off season, along with your bill.
Do we really pay nothing in a month we do not need you?
For hours, yes. Hands-on work is billed hourly with no monthly minimum, so a month with no HR, payroll or hiring requests has no hourly bill. The only recurring charge is for optional tools you choose, like the employee help desk or text-to-ticket line, which is a flat fee under $150 a month.
Is there a contract?
Yes, a simple service agreement. It puts the scope, your team and the hourly rate in writing so both sides know what to expect. It does not lock you into a monthly minimum or a retainer.
Free 15-minute call
Tell us what is going on at your Portland business.
Book a quick call, or call or text us directly.