In early 2016, the Maryland Department of Human Resources (DHR) began hiring new social workers at about $12,000 more than base salary in the State Merit Pay System. This was done out of necessity because they could not find qualified people to fill vacant positions at base salary.
The kind of work that these workers perform is demanding. It includes investigating allegations of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect of children who are unable to protect themselves. It includes investigating allegations of abuse, neglect, and financial and sexual exploitation of seniors who are unable to meet their own daily needs. Our work involves entering unsafe situations to ensure the safety of the most vulnerable residents in Maryland. This work often demands long hours including evenings and weekends. It is emotionally taxing, but we have a passion for helping those who need it most.
In an attempt to rectify pay inequities created over the past year, the Department of Human Resources recently gave raises to employees in the Social Work Classifications in Child Welfare. While we certainly support the equalization of pay, this gesture neglects to address the pay inequities that still exist for veteran employees, Casework Specialist Classifications, Family Services Caseworker Classifications, as well as the Social Worker Classifications in Adult Services. Workers in these classifications provide direct services to vulnerable children and adults across the State of Maryland. There is no difference in the job descriptions, responsibilities, and liability assumed by caseworkers as opposed to social workers. Therefore, this pay equalization effort has created an even greater pay inequity between co-workers performing the exact same job duties.
Experienced employees continue to be at a lower step because of numerous pay freezes over the past decade (not to mention salary reductions and furlough days). It appears that such freezes will continue as Governor Hogan has proposed no step increases for State Employees for Fiscal Year 2018.
The excluded classifications of workers at DHR ALL serve the vulnerable children and adults in Maryland. If the new workers, with little to no experience deserve a competitive salary, then those employees who have been working to serve the people of Maryland, regardless of the Classification, certainly deserve the same. We are relied upon to provide training and support to these new workers. If we choose to leave in search of more competitive salaries and an employer who values our experience, knowledge and service, our Agencies will not be able to continue performing at current standards, leaving the vulnerable people of Maryland to suffer. We do not want to leave; we care deeply about the vulnerable people we serve. We simply want to be paid fairly. Please help support us in continuing to make Maryland a great place to work and live.
We are demanding fair pay for the important and difficult work that we do. We are also demanding a fair pay system that compensates employees based on performance, experience, and education.
We respectfully ask for your support.
Updates
January 28, 2017
The feedback from colleagues across various departments confirms that these pay disparities are affecting morale throughout the state. We are currently preparing a formal inquiry to address the specific omissions in the recent adjustments. Your continued engagement helps ensure that this issue remains a priority for the administration.
January 28, 2017
The groundswell of support for this cause confirms that the inequity within our department is widely understood. Your engagement highlights the necessity of ensuring fair compensation for all professionals tasked with protecting our most vulnerable residents.
10 Comments
This job is so important for voices that can't always be heard!! These workers go into situations that you and l only see in movies!! Scary, sad, desperate. Their pay is already too low for this job, do NOT ALLOW inexperienced, uneducated, people to take the place of these angels. Pay them what they deserve and let them do the jobs you nor l would even consider. Thank you.
The Secretary’s I, II, III also handle an abundant responsibility to assist the workers in keeping and making the work that the workers do run smoothly as well as any other staff that requires assistance on a daily basis and sometimes over and above the call of duty and should also be compensated fairly with increased wages for their support and efforts to complete the vision and mission of the state of Maryland DHR Services.
I agree wholeheartedly! We have a hard time maintaining good workers & when they leave it is just harder on the underpaid workers who have endured this job for many years. The salary difference is very unfair & needs to be rectified.
Family services caseworkers do the exact same job as social workers and should be paid the same. Experience in this field should be more valued. Often they are the ones that stay. I know, I did this job for 15 years.
I'm a state employee of 11yrs & have endured several years because being furloughed & no raises or cost of living. I would love to be compensated.. I work very long hours without asking for time or extra money to help vulnerable families.
Compensation should be equitable. Experience is important.
Experience should be valued!
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In early 2016, the Maryland Department of Human Resources (DHR) began hiring new social workers at about $12,000 more than base salary in the State Merit Pay System. This was done out of necessity because they could not find qualified people to fill vacant positions at base salary.
The kind of work that these workers perform is demanding. It includes investigating allegations of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect of children who are unable to protect themselves. It includes investigating allegations of abuse, neglect, and financial and sexual exploitation of seniors who are unable to meet their own daily needs. Our work involves entering unsafe situations to ensure the safety of the most vulnerable residents in Maryland. This work often demands long hours including evenings and weekends. It is emotionally taxing, but we have a passion for helping those who need it most.
In an attempt to rectify pay inequities created over the past year, the Department of Human Resources recently gave raises to employees in the Social Work Classifications in Child Welfare. While we certainly support the equalization of pay, this gesture neglects to address the pay inequities that still exist for veteran employees, Casework Specialist Classifications, Family Services Caseworker Classifications, as well as the Social Worker Classifications in Adult Services. Workers in these classifications provide direct services to vulnerable children and adults across the State of Maryland. There is no difference in the job descriptions, responsibilities, and liability assumed by caseworkers as opposed to social workers. Therefore, this pay equalization effort has created an even greater pay inequity between co-workers performing the exact same job duties.
Experienced employees continue to be at a lower step because of numerous pay freezes over the past decade (not to mention salary reductions and furlough days). It appears that such freezes will continue as Governor Hogan has proposed no step increases for State Employees for Fiscal Year 2018.
The excluded classifications of workers at DHR ALL serve the vulnerable children and adults in Maryland. If the new workers, with little to no experience deserve a competitive salary, then those employees who have been working to serve the people of Maryland, regardless of the Classification, certainly deserve the same. We are relied upon to provide training and support to these new workers. If we choose to leave in search of more competitive salaries and an employer who values our experience, knowledge and service, our Agencies will not be able to continue performing at current standards, leaving the vulnerable people of Maryland to suffer. We do not want to leave; we care deeply about the vulnerable people we serve. We simply want to be paid fairly. Please help support us in continuing to make Maryland a great place to work and live.
We are demanding fair pay for the important and difficult work that we do. We are also demanding a fair pay system that compensates employees based on performance, experience, and education.
We respectfully ask for your support.
Updates
January 28, 2017
The feedback from colleagues across various departments confirms that these pay disparities are affecting morale throughout the state. We are currently preparing a formal inquiry to address the specific omissions in the recent adjustments. Your continued engagement helps ensure that this issue remains a priority for the administration.
January 28, 2017
The groundswell of support for this cause confirms that the inequity within our department is widely understood. Your engagement highlights the necessity of ensuring fair compensation for all professionals tasked with protecting our most vulnerable residents.
10 Comments
A social worker with experience is able to anticipate and manage situations that aren't in the textbook. They are able to draw on previous case experiences to successfully handle current cases. Experience should be rewarded - its these compassionate and dedicated employees with years of experience who are the foundation of DHR social work. They deserve higher pay for experience. Their education has been in the field. That makes them even more deserving!!
This job is so important for voices that can't always be heard!! These workers go into situations that you and l only see in movies!! Scary, sad, desperate. Their pay is already too low for this job, do NOT ALLOW inexperienced, uneducated, people to take the place of these angels. Pay them what they deserve and let them do the jobs you nor l would even consider. Thank you.
The Secretary’s I, II, III also handle an abundant responsibility to assist the workers in keeping and making the work that the workers do run smoothly as well as any other staff that requires assistance on a daily basis and sometimes over and above the call of duty and should also be compensated fairly with increased wages for their support and efforts to complete the vision and mission of the state of Maryland DHR Services.
I agree wholeheartedly! We have a hard time maintaining good workers & when they leave it is just harder on the underpaid workers who have endured this job for many years. The salary difference is very unfair & needs to be rectified.
Family services caseworkers do the exact same job as social workers and should be paid the same. Experience in this field should be more valued. Often they are the ones that stay. I know, I did this job for 15 years.
I'm a state employee of 11yrs & have endured several years because being furloughed & no raises or cost of living. I would love to be compensated.. I work very long hours without asking for time or extra money to help vulnerable families.
Compensation should be equitable. Experience is important.
Experience should be valued!
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A social worker with experience is able to anticipate and manage situations that aren't in the textbook. They are able to draw on previous case experiences to successfully handle current cases. Experience should be rewarded - its these compassionate and dedicated employees with years of experience who are the foundation of DHR social work. They deserve higher pay for experience. Their education has been in the field. That makes them even more deserving!!