Mind the Leave: Navigating Maryland’s Employee Leave Rules
Understanding Maryland's Employee Leave Landscape
As a mental health provider, you devote your work to supporting the well-being of others. It's equally important to create a supportive and compliant workplace for your team. Maryland mandates state-specific leave laws that extend beyond federal requirements like the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Grasping these obligations is crucial for legal compliance, fostering a healthy work environment, and retaining valuable staff.
Sick and Safe Leave
Maryland’s Healthy Working Families Act enables employees to earn leave for personal or family care, explicitly including mental health conditions. If your practice has 15 or more employees, offering paid sick and safe leave is mandatory; smaller practices must provide unpaid leave. Eligible employees accrue one hour of leave per every 30 hours worked, with an annual cap at 40 hours. Notably, employees can carry over up to 40 unused hours into the following year, unless you frontload the 40 hours initially. Qualifying conditions range from illnesses to domestic violence recovery, with the definition of "family member" covering a broad spectrum, including siblings and grandparents.
Upcoming Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML)
Maryland is poised for a significant shift with the introduction of a new Paid Family and Medical Leave program, commencing in 2027. This initiative will provide job-protected, paid leave for eligible employees. The program requires contributions from both employers and employees, although employers with fewer than 15 employees are exempt from contributing. The PFML offers up to 12 weeks of leave annually, addressing critical needs such as health conditions and family care.
Parental, Flexible, and Adoption Leave
Maryland supports family growth through specific leave laws. Practices with 15-49 employees must provide six unpaid weeks of parental leave for childbirth or adoption, maintaining health benefits during this time. Furthermore, the Maryland Flexible Leave Act demands flexibility in using paid leave for immediate family illness or bereavement within eligible practices.
Leave for Civic and Military Duties
Ensuring civic responsibility, Maryland protects employees’ time off for jury duty, voting, and military family events. You cannot terminate employees for jury service or subpoena compliance. However, the requirement for payment and the requirement or non-requirement of using vacation or sick time varies. Additionally, voting leave extends up to two paid hours.
For compliance inquiries or broader legal support, reach out to us at admin@danielmayerlaw.com. This blog serves educational purposes and doesn't constitute legal advice. An attorney–client relationship only forms through an engagement agreement. We’re eager to assist you in navigating these legal complexities.