MARYLAND EMPLOYMENT LAW
Employment Law, also known as Labor Law, governs all matters involving the relationship between the employer and his employees. Such matters include health and safety, hiring and termination, disability law, wrongful termination, wages and hours and sexual harassment, among others. Employment law complaints in Maryland are dealt with by the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.
Discrimination, wrongful termination, harassment and some other employment issues require the vast compilation of evidence and are immensely complex. Issues such as these necessitate the aid of a Maryland employment lawyer. A Maryland employment lawyer may also be helpful if you have concerns or questions.
Why Hire A Maryland Employment Attorney?
A Maryland employment lawyer can persuasively assert your wrongful termination or employment law case and can explain the interplay between state and federal law that is inherent in employment law. If you need to file a claim for unpaid wages, fight against your wrongful termination, argue a discrimination case against your employer or figure out if you have a claim worth filing that makes the best use of your money and time.
Further, wrongful termination cases may be particularly difficult for a recently terminated employee. Dealing with a former employer can be stressful and challenging, and a Maryland employment lawyer can be of great assistance in communicating and dealing with your former employer and providing you with the necessary guidance for a successful outcome. A Maryland employment attorney can explain your rights and benefits under Maryland employment law.
Wrongful Termination In Maryland
Employment is “at will” in Maryland. “At will employment” allows a worker to leave his place of employment whenever he wishes, and permits an employer to terminate a worker for any reason, at any time, provided that the reason is not discriminatory or illegal. If an employee has an employment contract he can only be fired for those reasons listed in the contract.
In Maryland, “wrongful termination” claims may be submitted when the firing of an employee is thought to be discriminatory or illegal in nature. It is illegal to terminate a worker in Maryland for:
Get in contact with a Maryland wrongful termination lawyer if you have concerns or questions about wrongful termination.
Maryland and federal law forbid employment discrimination and termination of workers based on disability, age, race, sex, or national origin if they are otherwise experienced for their jobs. If pregnancy is seen as a disability by an employer, it is also an unlawful reason to fire someone. Consult a Maryland wrongful termination lawyer if you feel you have been discriminated against and have a case for wrongful termination.
Employee Wage/Hour Concerns In Maryland
In Maryland, the minimum wage is $7.25 an hour (the same as the federal minimum wage rate). In general, employees in Maryland must be paid at least once every two weeks, or twice a month (executive, professional and administrative employees may be paid less frequently). If your boss does not pay your wages, talk to a Maryland employment lawyer about filing a “Claim Form” for earned unpaid wages with the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.
For the excess hours over 40 hours of work performed in a 7 day week, a worker will receive 1.5 times his standard wage. Overtime pay is mandated by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, and is enforced by the United States Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division. Claims for unpaid overtime should be discussed with a Maryland employment lawyer and submitted to the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.
See a Maryland employment lawyer if you have concerns regarding employee wages, or are unsure about how to file a claim for unpaid overtime or unpaid wages.
Maryland Employment Benefits
Maryland law does not mandate that Maryland workers be given sick leave, life insurance, medical benefits or paid vacation days. An employer also does not have to provide lunch breaks or other rest breaks to workers over 18 years old. In addition, Maryland disability law does not mandate short-term disability or maternity leave for employees. However, under federal law in the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), employees are entitled to 12 weeks of unpaid maternity leave.
Maryland disability law covers workers who are injured in accidents related to work, at their places of employment, or who become ill because of their jobs. Compensation for these work-related injuries or illnesses is possible, but the amount will depend on the categorization of the disability. It is worth reiterating, however, that Maryland disability law does not offer short-term disability payments for workers whose injuries or illnesses are not products of their jobs. Get in touch with a Maryland workers’ compensation attorney if you were injured at the workplace. You should also speak to a Maryland employment lawyer if you need an explanation of the federal laws that apply to your case, and the way they interact with Maryland state laws.
Maryland Employment and Labor Law Statutes
Maryland Annotated Code - Labor and Employment
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