Paid Sick Leave Mandate Unlikely This Session

A key Maryland lawmaker said that legislation mandating that employers provide paid sick leave is unlikely to move this session. Lawmakers are focused on legislation to increase Maryland’s minimum wage. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Thomas “Mac” Middleton said that he thinks enacting a minimum wage increase and paid sick leave mandate the same year would overburden employers. 

The Maryland Chamber opposed the bills. We believe that one size does not fit all in workplace regulation. Maryland employers should be able to manage their workforces and create wage and benefit programs that balance economic stresses with employee needs. Despite the good intent behind the proposed policy, several economic and practical difficulties were raised by impacted business owners during the bill hearings.

We will continue to monitor the bill until the end of the session. If you have any questions, contact Deriece Pate Bennett at dpatebennett@mdchamber.org. 

Legislative Issues Tag: Employment Issues