Goals:

  • Attract and retain a highly skilled, diverse workforce in Maryland while also supporting a pipeline and ecosystem of future employees (accountants, lawyers, tax professionals, and more), minority and small business enterprises, investors, and educators. Last year, the Agency conducted a survey of staff, which revealed that the COM workforce was frustrated and felt underpaid and understaffed; they wanted more training opportunities; and they wanted better working conditions. 
  • The Agency is committed to investing in staff and infrastructure to foster a results-oriented workforce that delivers for Maryland’s taxpayers. In the past year, COM has:

Actions

  • Conducted the first ever Agency assessment and multiple rounds of listening sessions to better understand staff work experiences; making improvements accordingly.
  • Established a monthly newsletter where the Comptroller communicates directly with staff.
  • Established a weekly staff newsletter (the “Comptroller Connection”) geared towards the culture of COM and sharing news and policies of interest to staff.
  • Created iSUGGEST as a virtual avenue for staff to share their suggestions and ideas for the agency.
  • Created and filled a Training Director position. The new director is conducting an agency-wide training needs assessment which will inform a corresponding training plan.
  • Reconstituted the Employee Activities Council which has approximately 20 members now and launched the Staff Advisory Council.
  • Instituted bi-annual All-Staff Meetings with attendance exceeding 50% of the staff population.
  • Developed a staff recruitment and retention plan.
  • Improved the physical work environment, including new paint and flooring, water bottle refilling stations, reconfiguration of office spaces, installation of new AV equipment in conference rooms, improved cellular connectivity, bat removal, implemented Mother’s Rooms and private spaces for nursing mothers, and more.
  • Relocated taxpayer services’ staff from State Center to 7 St. Paul Street.
  • Developed an improved agencywide parking policy.
  • Relocating four of COM’s 11 branch office to better serve taxpayers throughout the state. Relocations include Elkton (Cecil), Frederick (Frederick), Wheaton (Montgomery), and Towson (Baltimore County).
  • Preparing to conduct the second employee workplace experience survey.

Legend

  • Completed
  •  In Progress
A woman and writing on a white board while a man in a wheelchair looks on