Whether you are looking out your window at the wonder of snow or trying to prognosticate when it will hit, one thing is for sure.  If you are in a state with mandatory sick leave, employees may be invoking their right to no-questions-asked leave when you otherwise prohibit any excuses.  Such “no excuse” policies are common during snow events at businesses that must provide service – hospitals, property management companies, no-stop assembly lines. Think patients to be cared for, sidewalks to be cleared, machines that will seize without humans.
Continue Reading Oh, the Weather Outside is Frightful (I think I Need a Sick Day)!!

As Maryland employers are likely aware, the General Assembly passed a paid sick leave bill (HB1) this past session, which was vetoed by Governor Hogan. The Governor has now introduced a new paid leave bill – the Paid Leave Compromise Act of 2018 – that will be filed as emergency legislation when the next legislative session opens on January 10, 2018. The General Assembly’s Democratic leaders have nonetheless stated that they still plan to override the veto, making HB1 the law.
Continue Reading Governor Hogan’s Paid Leave Compromise Bill – What Does It Really Do?

Leaf raker, babysitter, waitress, retail salesperson, lawyer. I have had many jobs. Each has had value. Often, the pay and benefits did not match the value. When the value of the job exceeded the remuneration, I looked to find the next job.
Continue Reading The Value of Labor Goes Beyond Wages

moneyAs you may have heard, the Maryland General Assembly has passed a bill that requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide up to 5 days of paid sick leave and smaller employers to provide unpaid sick leave. The bill, known as the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act, now heads to the Governor’s desk. Governor Hogan has promised to veto it and the lawmakers state that they will override the veto. But politics aside, what is the actual status of this bill?

There are a number of possible scenarios regarding this bill, which we will discuss in order of likelihood.
Continue Reading Maryland’s General Assembly Just Passed Paid Sick Leave – Now What?