jobs and workplace

Maryland Democrats are moving forward with emergency legislation to allow federal employees forced to work without pay during a government shutdown to collect unemployment insurance in the state.

A battle is shaping up in Annapolis over whether — and by how much — to increase Maryland’s minimum wage. Advocates want a bill passed that will raise it to $15 for everyone. Opponents, including groups representing small businesses, hope to block an increase — or at least soften its impact.

The federal government is shutdown and a new tax law is complicated but there are still ways to get your 2018 taxes filed in Carroll County.

Minimum wage is meant for people entering the work force, not to raise entire families.

The U.S. House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved legislation to guarantee back pay for federal employees affected by a partial government shutdown. The measure has already cleared the U.S. Senate, where it was sponsored by Maryland Democrats Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen.

With Democrats pushing for the raise and Gov. Hogan questioning it, we wanted to ask our readers their thoughts on the issue.

As Maryland lawmakers got back to work, Gov. Larry Hogan expressed doubts about the wisdom of increasing the state’s minimum wage to $15 per hour. Hogan questioned whether raising it would put Maryland at a disadvantage for attracting businesses. He noted that Virginia’s minimum wage is $7.25.

Though the session opened at about noon, lawmakers representing Carroll County had been coming up with legislative agendas and crafting bills for months in preparation. Many have refined bills they introduced in the past that failed to make it and plan to reintroduce the legislation.

With spouses and children by their sides, Maryland's 188 lawmakers were sworn into office. While lawmakers are expected to hash out tricky issues over the next 90 days, the first day was largely reserved for celebration and optimism.

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi has vacationed during federal government shut down as workers went without pay.

Hundreds more Marylanders are seeking unemployment insurance benefits related to the federal government shutdown. As the funding impasse reached its 12th day Wednesday, the state said it's received 462 such benefit applications from Dec. 22 through Dec. 31.

Carroll Hospital just won a Gold Level Regional Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplace Award from the D.C. and Maryland Breastfeeding Coalition.

Maryland’s unemployment rate dropped to 4 percent in November, from 4.1 percent the month before, reflecting a solid labor market that economists say could help the state withstand the budget uncertainty in Washington.

Baltimore-area businesses weathered failed deals, layoffs, closings and restructuring in 2018. But some started new chapters by expanding or merging, and new development sprouted all over and one new industry spread like a weed.

De Sousa was charged in May with three misdemeanor counts of failing to file federal tax returns. He resigned one week later.

For people with disabilities a job is more than just a way to get a paycheck, it is a connection to the community.

Robert Reich: GM's shareholder-first focus reveals problems in Donald Trump's America-first economic policy.

As we celebrate the life of President George H.W. Bush, it has been noted by the media that one of the reasons he lost reelection in 1992 to candidate Bill Clinton was because he broke his “Read my lips. No new taxes” promise.

Energage CEO Doug Claffey on workplace culture.

Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh said she expects the city's new police commissioner could be paid about $260,000 — a 25 percent increase compared with what previous commissioners have made. The salary would make Joel Fitzgerald among the best paid city employees.

All things being equal, Harford County Public Schools would need almost $35 million in additional funding to operate during the next school year in 2019-20 — an increase almost certain not to happen — Superintendent Dr. Sean Bulson said.

Under Armour founder Kevin Plank addressed the company's corporate culture at a meeting of The Economic Club of Washington, D.C.

A source said the plant being shuttered in Canada is just the beginning as GM prepares for the next downturn, shifting trade agreements and potential tariffs on imports.

BSO board chair Barbara Bozzutto provides the board's perspective on budget cuts and schedule changes.

Now that Democrats are poised to take control of the U.S. House of Representatives in January, taxpayers can expect a major push to achieve the "progressive"

The state’s unemployment rate dropped to 4.1 percent in October from 4.2 September and 4.3 percent a year before.

A vehicle for the unemployed and under-employed as well as current incumbent workers to gain the specific skills, certifications and training necessary to become that pipeline is desperately needed. Luckily, that vehicle already exists and has existed for centuries: registered apprenticeships.

Saks Inc. will close its distribution center in Aberdeen and lay off 150 workers.

U.S. unemployment has fallen to record levels; it's time for worker pay to rise in response.

Amazon’s move to boost its U.S. workers’ minimum wage to $15 per hour next month could put pressure on large retailers and other employers to follow with similar increases, especially amid a tight labor market where job openings often outnumber applicants.

Once again, most of Baltimore’s highest paid employees are police officers. Surging police overtime expenses in fiscal year 2018 meant that 40 of the 50 highest-paid city employees work for the police department — including seven of the top 10.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and Democratic challenger Ben Jealous met Monday for the only scheduled debate in the 2018 governor’s race. This transcript was generated through a mix of automated software and human editing.

A decade on from the financial crisis of 2008, and many economic indicators seem pretty good: Maryland’s unemployment rate has held steady at 4.3 percent over the summer, while U.S. second quarter growth hit 4.2 percent, the highest rate since 2014.

The unemployment rate in Maryland ticked down in August to 4.2 percent from 4.3 percent the previous month, but remained higher than a year ago when the rate was 4 percent.

Under Armour announces it will lay off 400 workers by end of March as it continues restructuring to get back its mojo.

The Times recently caught up with BERC Manager Denise Rickell to talk about what BERC does, the state of the labor market in Carroll County and how job seekers can take advantage of the opportunities at the upcoming Oct. 4 fall job fair.

Cal Thomas: President Trump should take a show-and-tell approach to the opposition coming from the left.

Robert Reich: We're careening toward the same sort of crash we had in 2008, and possibly as bad as 1929.

It’s easy to overlook Labor Day’s original meaning — celebrating the the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country — when the tangible actions you can take to recognize and champion employment opportunities in your community aren’t always clear.

The most jobs were lost in leisure and hospitality, which dropped 1,400 positions.

The average wage earned in America has been stagnating for four decades, according to the Pew Research Center. It's a shocking finding. Thankfully, there are

Gov. Larry Hogan has sent a letter to Maryland corrections officers defending is record on running the state prison system.

A new survey shows a wide pay gap between the state's male and female physicians.

The unemployment rate in Maryland held steady at 4.3 percent despite losing 5,500 jobs, mostly in government.

Sean Bulson sits down with The Aegis since taking over as superintendent of Harford County Public Schools at the beginning of July.

The kind of single-payer health care plan Ben Jealous is proposing would be expensive, but so is the status quo.

Members of the Washington Metro's largest union have voted overwhelmingly to authorize their leader to call for a strike amid an extended labor dispute.

The head of the University System of Maryland received nearly $800,000 in compensation for fiscal year 2017. That included a controversial, one-time $75,000 bonus.

The state's unemployment rate rose to 4.3 percent in March but Maryland added 3,200 jobs.

According to the non-partisan CBO, the federal budget deficit will surpass $1 trillion by 2020, and the national debt will rise to a staggering $29 trillion by 2028. And yet, despite our prolific spending, we fall far short of realizing the quality of life that our outlays suggest we should expect