NEWS
By Hanah Cho, The Baltimore Sun | May 8, 2012
Two Maryland employers have warned state labor officials of layoffs that could affect nearly 400 workers. Saks Fifth Avenue said it would terminate a third of its workforce, or 223 employees, at its Aberdeen distribution and order fulfillment center starting in late May, the state Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation said Tuesday. Julia Bentley, a Saks spokeswoman, said the retailer was opening a new fulfillment center for saks.com in Tennessee and was phasing out such jobs in Aberdeen.
BUSINESS
Eileen Ambrose | May 3, 2012
The White House, Department of Labor and others have announced an update on a program to get companies, cities and federal agencies to commit to youths for the summer. Employers have agreed to hire tens of thousands of young people. To find internships and job postings near you, visit the Summer Jobs+Bank . Among the companies hiring in the Baltimore area: BGE, AOL, DAP, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, The Business of Life, Ripken Baseball, Northrop Grumman, Johns Hopkins Health System Corp., and the American Red Cross.
NEWS
April 29, 2012
I take exception to the illogic displayed in columnist Marta H. Mossburg's recent commentary ("Biology really is destiny," April 25). She clearly understands nothing about women who oppose restrictions on contraceptives. Some of us think a prescription drug package on our health insurance should cover this prescription drug even if our employer thinks it shouldn't. And since when is a prescription drug plan "free?" Since when did employers belong between patients and their doctors?
NEWS
By Michael Dresser, The Baltimore Sun | April 29, 2012
In more than 30 states, if a corporate chieftain were to ask top executives to contribute to a politician, an inquisitive voter could easily learn that the firm was bankrolling the candidate. But not in Maryland. Campaigns are not required to disclose the occupation and employer of large contributors. That will change as of June 1 if Gov. Martin O'Malley signs legislation approved by the General Assembly that would require campaigns to gather such information from donors who give $500 or more to a single candidate during a four-year election cycle.
NEWS
By Jamie Smith Hopkins, The Baltimore Sun | April 20, 2012
Maryland employers added 1,500 jobs in March — thanks entirely to growth in the private sector — but the state's unemployment rate inched up as the pool of would-be workers expanded more rapidly. The jobless rate was 6.6 percent in March, up from 6.5 percent in February, the U.S. Department of Labor estimated Friday. That's because the labor force, the number of adults working or looking for work, grew by 4,200 people in March, according to the agency. An improving economic situation typically brings out more job seekers, as people who had been discouraged by earlier difficulties get back in the hunt.
NEWS
By Kevin Rector, The Baltimore Sun | April 10, 2012
Moving to the forefront of social media privacy law nationwide, the Maryland General Assembly has passed legislation prohibiting employers in the state from asking current and prospective employees for their user names and passwords to websites such as Facebook and Twitter. If Gov. Martin O'Malley signs the bill — his office said it was one of hundreds of bills it has yet to review — the bill would make Maryland the first state in the nation to set such a restriction into law. Other states are considering similar legislation, including Illinois and California.