By Neal Thompson Baltimore Sun Staff Joy Howard is more than a doctor. In her 10 years at the clinic, Howard watched as some employees came to view A-time as a right, even if they could work. But Mayor Martin O'Malley's administration has been cracking down on abuses and trying to keep more workers at work. Officials say they've achieved some success.
Union leaders acknowledge some problems but say city administrators share responsibility.
Individual workers have reacted sometimes angrily to the clinic's tougher approach. So if I don't feel that person's injury is worth A-time, I don't give it to them. City officials have for years been aware of A-time abuses, which is one piece of the vexing problem of high absenteeism among 16,000 city workers. In recently months, the city has made some of its strongest reform efforts ever. Injuries are investigated more regularly, and those caught cheating the system are fired.