The City Council of Baltimore convened on May 22, 2025, to discuss critical issues affecting city operations, particularly focusing on employee burnout and its correlation with overtime and sick leave.

During the meeting, a council member raised concerns about how overtime impacts employee well-being, suggesting that high levels of overtime may lead to burnout and increased sick leave usage. The council member emphasized the need for a comprehensive study to analyze the relationship between overtime, employee turnover, and sick leave across the city's largest agencies, including the Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of Public Works (DPW), Fire Department, and Police Department.

The city administrator was tasked with leading this evaluation process, but it was noted that the request for data would require significant time and resources, making it a summer project rather than an immediate undertaking. The council member highlighted the importance of understanding these metrics, stating that employee burnout not only leads to resignations but also affects overall productivity and service delivery in essential city functions.

The discussion underscored the council's commitment to addressing employee welfare as a means to enhance city services. The findings from the proposed study could inform future policies aimed at improving working conditions and reducing burnout among city employees. The council plans to revisit this topic as the summer project progresses, aiming for a more sustainable approach to workforce management in Baltimore.