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Maryland: Despite a Veto, Statewide Ban-the-Box Comes Into Play

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February 29, 2020

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Despite being previously vetoed by Governor Hogan, the Criminal Records Screening Act went into effect on February 29, 2020, because of state legislation that overrode the governor’s veto on January 30, 2020. The Act implements statewide ban-the-box provisions, though it does not preempt the more expansive local ordinances already implemented in Baltimore City or Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties.

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Maryland: Noncompete Clauses Banned for Low Wage Workers

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October 1, 2019

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As a matter of public policy, SB 328 prohibits employers from including noncompete and conflict of interest provisions in employment contracts for employees earning less than $15 per hour, or $31,200 annually. If a noncompete or conflict of interest provision is found in an employment contract and restricts entry into employment with another employer, or restricts the employee from becoming self-employed in the same or similar business or trade, it shall be deemed null and void.

The bill applies to Maryland employees regardless of whether the contract was executed inside or outside of the State. The new legislation does not apply to employment contracts restricting the use of client lists or other proprietary client-related information.

Action Items

  1. Review the text of the bill here.
  2. Have noncompete and conflict of interest clauses reviewed by legal counsel for compliance with this new law.
  3. Subscribers can call our HR On-Call Hotline at (888) 378-2456 for further assistance.

Disclaimer: This document is designed to provide general information and guidance concerning employment-related issues. It is presented with the understanding that ManagEase is not engaged in rendering any legal opinions. If a legal opinion is needed, please contact the services of your own legal adviser.

© 2019 ManagEase

Maryland: New Employment Laws Update

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The Maryland legislature adjourned in April after enacting several employment-related laws, summarized below.

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Maryland: Minimum Wage to Increase to $15 per Hour by 2025

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June 1, 2019

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The Maryland legislature recently overrode Governor Hogan’s veto of a minimum wage bill that will increase minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2025, and by 2026 for employers with 14 or less employees. HB 166/SB 280 raises minimum wage to $11 per hour on January 1, 2020, and then by $0.75 each year thereafter until it reaches $15 on January 1, 2025. Small employers will see annual increases of $0.60 each year until July 1, 2026. Workers under 18 years old, down from 20 years, are required to be paid at least 85% of the state minimum wage.

Additionally, employers who take a tip credit for tipped employees must provide employees with a wage statement each pay period showing their effective hourly tip rate “as derived from employer-paid cash wages plus all reported tips for tip credit hours worked each workweek of the pay period.”

Action Items

  1. Update projected budgets to account for increases in minimum wage.
  2. Update payroll processes to account for minimum wage increases.
  3. Update tipped employee wage statements as required.
  4. Look for forthcoming tip credit wage statement regulations from the Commissioner.
  5. Subscribers can call our HR On-Call Hotline at (888) 378-2456 for further assistance.

Disclaimer: This document is designed to provide general information and guidance concerning employment-related issues. It is presented with the understanding that ManagEase is not engaged in rendering any legal opinions. If a legal opinion is needed, please contact the services of your own legal adviser.

© 2019 ManagEase

Maryland: New Sexual Harassment Reporting Requirement and Bar To Waiving Rights

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October 1, 2018, July 1, 2020, and July 1, 2022

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Effective October 1, 2018, the Disclosing Sexual Harassment In The Workplace Act (“Act”) (SB 1010) prohibits all employers from entering into an agreement with an employee that waives the employee’s substantive or procedural right to future claims of sexual harassment or retaliation therefor. Employers also cannot retaliate against employees who refuse to enter into such agreements.

The Act also requires employers with 50 or more Maryland employees to report (1) the number of sexual harassment claims settled, (2) the number of times the employer has paid settlements for sexual harassment allegations against the same employee within the last 10 years of employment, and (3) the number of settlements for sexual harassment claims that included a mutual confidentiality provision. The information must be submitted electronically and includes a place for an employer to describe discipline implemented against employees who have been the subject of sexual harassment allegations. Reporting must occur before July 1, 2020 and again before July 1, 2022.

The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights will publish aggregate data received by employers, and will make individual employer reporting available to the public upon request.

Action Items

  1. Have employment agreements, arbitration agreements, and severance agreements reviewed by legal counsel for updates consistent with the new Act.
  2. Track sexual harassment claims and results for required reporting beginning on July 1, 2020.

Disclaimer: This document is designed to provide general information and guidance concerning employment-related issues. It is presented with the understanding that ManagEase is not engaged in rendering any legal opinions. If a legal opinion is needed, please contact the services of your own legal adviser.

© 2018 ManagEase

Upcoming Minimum Wage Increases

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July 1, 2018

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Minimum wage increases typically fall into the beginning or middle of each calendar year, with many states or localities increasing minimum wage rates in July.  Below is a short list of localities with upcoming minimum wage increases effective July 1, 2018.

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Fourth Circuit: FLSA Lodging Credit Still Applies to Hours-Worked Agreements

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All Employers of MD, NC, SC, VA, and WV Employees

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January 25, 2018

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The FLSA requires employees to be paid for all hours worked, and permits employers and employees to agree on the number of hours worked when the employee lives on the employer’s premises, provided that the FLSA’s wage and hour requirements are followed (e.g., minimum wage, overtime paid, etc.). In Balbed v. Eden Park Guest House, LLC, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal stated that even when an employer and employee enter into a reasonable agreement of hours worked, the FLSA’s requirements for calculating the lodging credit are still enforceable.

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Maryland: Statewide Paid Sick and Safe Leave Begins Feb 11, 2018

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February 11, 2018

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In 2017, Governor Larry Hogan vetoed an act that would require Maryland employers to provide paid sick and safe leave (“PSSL”). The Maryland legislature recently overrode this veto, meaning Maryland HB 1 (the “Act”) will go into effect on February 11, 2018.  Maryland employers should immediately review the details of the Act, summarized below.

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September Updates

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This Short List addresses the following topics:
  1. The Recent Federal Overtime Exemption Rule is Diminishing
  2. NLRB: More Examples of What is or isn’t Protected Concerted Activities on Facebook
  3. EEOC Must Reconsider Wellness Regulations
  4. Seventh Circuit: EEOC May Investigate Despite Right-to-Sue Letter and Issue of Judgment
  5. Arizona, Maryland, Wyoming:  Now Part of the E-Verify RIDE Program
  6. Berkeley, CA: Minimum Wage Increase, Paid Sick Leave, and Work Schedule Rules Will Soon Be In Effect
  7. San Diego, CA:  Equal Pay Bill for City Contractors and Consultants
  8. Santa Clara, CA: Santa Clara City’s Minimum Wage to Increase in 2018
  9. Connecticut: Anti-Discrimination Protections Expanded for Veterans
  10. Georgia: Amended Law Now Preempts Predictive Scheduling Ordinances
  11. New Jersey:  Anti-Discrimination Protections for Military and Veterans Expanded
  12. New York: Guidance on Tax Treatment of PFL Contributions and Benefits now Available
  13. Nevada: Pregnant Workers’ Fairness Act Poster Now Available
  14. North Carolina:  Fair Classification Act Emphasizes State Focus on Proper Employee Classification
  15. Texas: Hurricane Harvey Relief for Employees
  16. Washington:  New Biometric Information Protection law

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Fourth Circuit: Unique Six Factor Test to Determine Joint Employer Status

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January 25, 2017

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In Salinas v. Commercial Interiors Inc., the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals recently established a unique six factor test for determining joint employer status that aligns with the Department of Labor’s broad interpretation of joint employer status, and rejected the more narrow “economic realities” test used in other circuit courts.

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