Articles Discussing General Topics In Maryland Labor & Employment Law.

On October 6, 2020, the County Council for Montgomery County, Maryland unanimously voted to significantly revise its Human Rights Law as it relates to harassment in the workplace.

Maryland Governor Hogan moved the state into Stage Three of its reopening plan on September 4, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. in Order 20-09-01-01. This move permits practically all Maryland businesses to open, including theaters.  Marylanders are strongly encouraged to follow the most current guidance from the U.S.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has signed a new Executive Order (EO) reopening movie theaters and live entertainment venues, subject to limitations and local regulation. Additionally, the EO permits retail stores and houses of worship to increase capacity from 50% to 75%, subject to local regulation.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has issued a new Executive Order (EO) requiring all people older than five to wear face coverings in indoor public spaces and outdoors where social distancing is not possible. 

In a move that could impact many Maryland employers, the Maryland General Assembly has made a major change to the state’s version of the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act or its “mini-WARN” law.

As the world slowly returns to some semblance of normalcy, the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia recently announced varying plans as to when they will reopen and what reopening will look like.  Virginia previously unveiled its three-phase reopening plan.  Following Virginia’s lead, Maryland also announced it would follow

There have been several recent and important developments in the on-going COVID-19 pandemic response in the District of Columbia and Maryland that affect employers.

It is safe to say that spring 2020 will not soon be forgotten. While the COVID-19 pandemic dominated the news and the attention of federal and state governments alike, the Maryland General Assembly passed several new laws affecting the workplace. In addition to the emergency measures implemented to address

Maryland recently enacted amendments to its Economic Stabilization Act to require that an employer implementing a “reduction in operations” must provide 60 days’ advance notice to employees and others, and also provide continuation of health, pension, severance and/or other benefits to affected employees on terms yet to be developed

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has introduced the Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery, a three-stage plan for the state to restart its economy and begin lifting COVID-19 restrictions.

People in Maryland must wear face coverings at retail stores (i.e., grocery stores, pharmacies, liquor stores, and restaurants) and on all forms of public transportation under a new Executive Order signed by Governor Larry Hogan. The Order also establishes other physical distancing requirements for retail establishments.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has signed a new Executive Order (Order) that mandates all individuals living in Maryland to stay at home unless they work in “Essential Businesses,” are engaged in “Essential Activities,” or are engaged in other limited activity. The Order went into effect at 8:00 p.m. on March 30, 2020, and will remain effective until after the termination of the state of emergency and the proclamation of the catastrophic health emergency has been rescinded, or until rescinded, superseded, amended, or revised by additional orders.

An effort by several Baltimore City Councilmembers to mandate project labor agreements (PLAs) for certain large city contracts has triggered strong opposition from the city’s contracting community.

Maryland has taken far-reaching and proactive steps to minimize the impact of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19), including expanding unemployment insurance, prohibiting the termination of employees who have been isolated or quarantined, limiting gatherings of 10 people or more, and closing non-essential businesses.

Maryland has joined a growing number of jurisdictions by enacting a “ban-the-box” law prohibiting employers from asking job applicants about their criminal history on the initial job application. The new Maryland law, the Criminal Record Screening Practices Act, will take effect on February 29, 2020.