Hagerstown-Washington County News

Hagerstown, MD – The Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce opposes Senate Bill 55, currently under consideration by the Maryland General Assembly, which requires employers to establish specific sick leave policies.  The Chamber opposes the legislation for the following reasons:

• Requiring employers to unilaterally compensate employees for sick time will mandate additional costs on Maryland businesses which will quantifiably affect competitiveness within interstate commerce.  Sick leave, like all employee benefits, should not be legislated as all employers must have the right and opportunity to set labor costs according to individual business needs.

• This bill is overreaching and will set a dangerous precedent.  If forced to offer paid sick leave to all employees, Maryland businesses will have to reexamine current compensation levels to offset the law’s fiscal impact.  In doing so, the companies will become less attractive to prospective employees.

About the Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce

Since 1919, the Chamber has been the preferred advocate and recognized voice of business in the greater Hagerstown-Washington County area.  We connect our member businesses to each other and to the community, organizing events and providing tools that they use to grow their business. We strive to be a go-to resource for the business community for questions, concerns, education and advice.  For more information, visit www.hagerstown.org.