Maryland's employment discrimination laws are designed to protect workers, but that doesn't mean that employers always follow them. As an employment discrimination lawyer (law firm), we represent employees who have had their rights violated, whether that means being paid less than someone of a different sex, not having equal access to advancement opportunities, or being wrongfully terminated.
Maryland's Employment Laws Can Protect Workers
Employment discrimination is a persistent problem in the United States, including in the state of Maryland. Fortunately, there are a number of laws in place at the federal and state levels that aim to combat this issue and ensure that all employees are treated fairly and without bias. In this article, we will discuss the various employment discrimination laws in Maryland and what they mean for workers in the state.
The Maryland Fair Employment Practices Act (FEPA) is the primary state law that prohibits employment discrimination. This law makes it illegal for employers in Maryland to discriminate against employees or job applicants on the basis of "race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability." The FEPA applies to employers with 15 or more employees, as well as to employment agencies and labor organizations.
Under the FEPA, employers are prohibited from discriminating against employees or job applicants in any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing, promotions, pay, and other terms and conditions of employment. If you file a complaint of discrimination or participate in discrimination investigations or proceedings, you are also protected against retaliation.
Another important state law that addresses employment discrimination in Maryland is the Maryland Equal Pay for Equal Work Law. This law prohibits employers from paying people differently for work that requires equal skill, effort, and responsibility and is performed under similar working conditions, based on their sex. This law applies to all employers in Maryland (even if they have fewer than 15 employees).
Federal Laws in Addition to Maryland's Employment Discrimination Laws
In addition to these state laws, there are also federal employment discrimination laws that apply in Maryland. The most well-known of these is Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, and national origin for employees with more than 15 employees.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is another federal law that prohibits employment discrimination (in companies with 15 or more employees) against individuals with disabilities. In essence, employers must provide a reasonable accomodation that would allow people to do their job with adjustments.
Finally, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) protects people who are 40 years+.
An Employment Discrimination Lawyer Can Protect Your Rights
The Quinn Law Group represents employees who have been discriminated against in Maryland and the District. If that's you, you have limited time to file a complaint with the appropriate agency before you are barred from doing so. In most cases, this will be the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR), which is responsible for enforcing the state's anti-discrimination laws. The other option is filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
When filing a complaint, it is important to provide as much detail as possible about the discriminatory conduct, including the names of individuals involved and any witnesses who may have observed the conduct. You should also provide any evidence that supports your claim, such as emails, documents, or witness statements. That's why hiring an employment lawyer makes a lot of sense. We work with the MCCR and EEOC every day so we know what they look for and how to prepare documents and evidence to reach a successful resolution.
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