Human Resources Archives

Trust, Invest, Repeat. Tackling Retiree Health Care Costs

The MACo OPEB Investment Trust - designed to help counties put current assets to work toward long-term health care liabilities - is performing well, delivering healthy returns, and serving member needs. It recently topped $100m in total assets -- all "put to work" through active investment for a stronger long term return than would be allowable without the Trust infrastructure. The Board of Trustees of the MACo OPEB Investment Trust recently convened a quarterly meeting…

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July 30, 2025

County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Health and Human Services / Human Resources / Labor

Missouri Repeals Paid Sick Leave Law

In a reversal of a voter-approved measure, Missouri Governor signed legislation repealing the state’s earned paid sick leave law. The new law, effective August 28, 2025, rolls back provisions approved under Proposition A in 2024. As covered in a Littler article, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe recently signed legislation undoing two voter-approved labor policies: a statewide paid sick leave mandate and automatic inflation-based minimum wage increases. Local governments were exempt from the original paid sick leave…

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July 23, 2025

County News / Economic Development / Human Resources

New Mobile Career Center Targets Employment Barriers in Frederick

Frederick County Workforce Service has unveiled a new Mobile Career Center. This new initiative will bring unemployment and workforce resources directly to people in underserved and rural areas of Frederick County. From the county press release: “While Frederick County boasts one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state at around 2.6%, we know that many people still face barriers to employment — particularly those without reliable transportation or internet access. The Mobile Career Center…

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July 17, 2025

County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources / Labor

MD Unemployment Insurance Fund Faces Challenges

Maryland’s unemployment insurance trust fund is currently stable. However, the system could fall below federal solvency standards within the next two years. As reported in a Maryland Matters article, Maryland Labor Secretary Portia Wu warned lawmakers that the state’s $2 billion unemployment insurance trust fund is under increasing pressure at a recent Joint Committee on Unemployment Oversight hearing. While it currently meets federal solvency standards, that could change if unemployment rises or large-scale layoffs occur.…

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July 16, 2025

Government Liability and Courts / Health and Human Services / Human Resources / Summer Conference

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Programs and Policy Discussions Continue Across Maryland

US Supreme Court cases, executive orders, and new federal policies have increasingly been putting more pressure on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts within state and local jurisdictions, sparking meaningful conversations within governments and communities. The last decade has seen a massive shift both toward and away from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. In multiple years, DEI leaders and programs were the fastest growing new role and component of many businesses and organizations. While…

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July 8, 2025

County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources / Labor / Summer Conference

Navigating Cannabis, Safety, and Compliance in the Workplace

As cannabis laws evolve, employers are facing new challenges in balancing safety, federal obligations, and employee rights. Minnesota’s latest law raises the stakes by requiring greater legal justification before taking employment action. According to a Forbes article, Minnesota passed a bill that recently went into effect, strengthening protections for registered medical cannabis patients in the workplace. Employers must now give these employees 14 days’ written notice before taking any adverse action based on a positive…

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July 7, 2025

Employee Benefits and Relations / Health and Human Services / Human Resources / Information Technology / Labor

CalHeatScore: California’s New Tool for Beating the Heat

Extreme heat is more than a summer nuisance. California’s new tool helps residents identify potential dangers early and take action to stay safe. In a recent Government Technology article, California introduced CalHeatScore, a new tool that forecasts and ranks the risk of heat-related illness on a daily basis. Using a 0-to-4 scale, the system helps residents understand when conditions are most hazardous, with a score of 4 indicating a severe risk. The platform also provides…

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June 12, 2025

Courts / Health and Human Services / Human Resources

Baltimore City Seeks $5B for Recovery and Prevention

Baltimore City is pressing for a long-term investment in recovery, prevention, and public health to repair the damage done by the opioid crisis. According to a Baltimore Banner article, Baltimore City is seeking $5.2 billion from the court to fund a 15-year abatement plan. The City recently won a $266 million judgment against two major drug distributors. This second phase of the trial focuses on future solutions, not past harm. The plan outlines funding for…

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June 11, 2025

County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Health and Human Services / Human Resources

Montgomery County Govt National Leader in Workplace Mental Health

Montgomery County Government has been recognized as a national leader in employee mental health and well-being, earning the 2025 Gold Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health from Mental Health America (MHA). This marks the third consecutive year the County has received this prestigious certification. The Bell Seal is a national certification program that annually recognizes a select group of employers committed to fostering mentally healthy work environments. The Gold Bell Seal is the second-highest designation…

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May 29, 2025

Cyber / Human Resources / Information Technology / Labor

How Pennsylvania Is Shrinking Time-to-Hire

In Pennsylvania, state leaders are using AI and data to speed up hiring to compete with the private sector's faster timelines. To tackle workforce shortages and fill government positions faster, Pennsylvania has launched a multifaceted effort to modernize its hiring process. The state’s Office of Administration is combining data analytics, applicant tracking dashboards, and generative AI tools like ChatGPT Enterprise to streamline key hiring steps. Since Governor Josh Shapiro took office in 2023, the average…

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May 20, 2025