Leaving Maryland Workers Behind: A Comparison of State Employee Leave Statutes

Abstract:     
Maryland law is not quite a blank slate for employee leave rights-but it is close. While the state forbids employers from terminating employees for job time lost for jury service or attending a court proceeding in response to a subpoena or pursuant to victim's rights laws, Maryland is one of a "select few" that does not require any breaks for adult workers, including time off for meals. Maryland law does not require family or medical leave for private sector workers. In fact, the state's most generous leave law stems from repealing antiquated "blue laws" that required businesses to be closed on Sundays; employees of retail and wholesale establishments are able to choose "as a day of rest, Sunday or the sabbath of the employee." However, even this protection excludes managerial, professional and part-time employees from coverage.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 14

Keywords: Maryland, Employees, Workers, Leave Statutes, Legislation, Employment Law, Labor Law, Leave Rights, Jury Service, Court Proceeding, Victim's Rights Laws

JEL Classification: K19, K31, K39, K49

Accepted Paper Series