Employee Benefits

Benefits Information

Coverage may vary depending on your position, agency, or union affiliation. Here are key details for new and current employees:

Health Benefits 

Employees must enroll in medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage within 45 days of their hire date. Coverage will begin retroactively on the first day of the month following the hire date.

Waiver Credit
Benefit-eligible employees who do not need City coverage may choose to receive a waiver credit. This choice must be made within 45 days of the hire date.

Direct Deposit
Employees may deposit earnings into a checking or savings account. Once enrolled, employees can access a copy of their paycheck in Workday.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
This is a tax-free savings account for eligible health and dependent care expenses. Employees can enroll within 45 days from the hire date.

Life Insurance
Basic and Additional Term Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage is available to benefit-eligible employees. The life insurance benefits become effective on the 1st day of the following month.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
This office gives counseling and referral services to employees and their family members, at no cost.

Municipal Employee Credit Union (MECU)
Employees may join the credit union to access financial services and benefits.

Deferred Compensation
Employees may contribute some of their salary to a retirement savings plan. Contributions may begin on the first date of employment.

Employee Retirement Systems (ERS)
Employees may enroll after one year of employment with the City of Baltimore. Earned service credits from the State of Maryland or other Maryland retirement systems must be transferred within 30 days from the last day of their previous employment. 

Full-time employees hired on or after July 1, 2014, must participate in the City’s Retirement Savings Plan (RSP). There is a 5% employee election requirement. There are two different plan options: Non-Hybrid and Hybrid. The Non-Hybrid option is a defined contribution plan, while the Hybrid option is a defined benefit and retirement plan.

Wellness Programs
Employees are educated on healthy living and create plans to meet their needs. Activities include fitness events, educational programs, nutrition programs, and other wellness-sponsored programs and events.

Hybrid Work Environment
The City of Baltimore is committed to employee productivity and talent recruitment and provides its employees with workplace options.

 

Leave Policy

All leave is subject to supervisory approval, according to City policy.

Vacation Leave
Employees earn vacation leave based on how long they’ve worked for the City. The accrual schedule is outlined in the table below. Vacation leave can build up to a maximum of 45 days.

Employees earn leave monthly, except for CUB Represented and Unrepresented employees, who receive leave annually on July 1. Employees in their first City probationary period earn vacation leave at the normal rate but cannot use it until their probation is successfully completed. If probation is not completed, unused vacation leave will not be paid out.

Personal Leave 
Eligible employees receive up to four (4) personal leave days each year, credited on July 1. This leave does not roll over to the next year. Employees hired after July 1 receive a prorated amount. In some cases, a different agreement may apply based on union membership.

Sick Leave
Employees may use sick leave for a personal illness, whether physical, mental, injury, or prenatal or postnatal disability. Different accrual rates may apply for eligible City employees:

• Full-Time Regular Employees: 1 day of sick leave is accrued for each completed full month of active service.
• Part-Time Regular Employees: 1 day of sick leave is accrued when 160 hours of active service are completed.

Other Leave
The City of Baltimore also offers Family and Medical Leave and Maryland Sick and Safe Leave in accordance with state and federal laws.

Holidays

The Office of the Labor Commissioner establishes and distributes a calendar of observed holidays.  Our holidays include:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King Day
• Presidents’ Day
• Good Friday
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth*
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Indigenous People’s Day
• General Election
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

According to City policy, if a holiday falls on a Saturday, it is observed on the preceding Friday. If it falls on a Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday.

Additional Holidays for Baltimore City Police Department Employees

• Lincoln’s Birthday (Observed)
• Maryland Day (Civilian Employees Only)
• Defender’s Day

*Juneteenth is observed by executive order.

Health Insurance Committee Meeting Minutes

You can view past meeting minutes from the Health Insurance Committee:

January 17, 2024 - Meeting Minutes
August 2, 2023 - Meeting Minutes 
June 13, 2023 - Meeting Minutes