Maryland Labor Law Attorney
As an employee in the state of Maryland, you’re protected under specific labor laws while at work. If you think that your employer has violated one of these laws, contact a labor lawyer in Maryland to seek justice.
There are various federal and state labor laws in place that protect employees in the workplace, and a Maryland labor law attorney is familiar with these laws. Not only are employees protected from discrimination, but their wages, time, and health are protected as well. When an employer mistreats an employee by depriving them of their basic rights, it’s essential that they’re reprimanded for their actions.
At Snider & Associates, LLC, our attorneys are experienced in Maryland employment law. We’ll help you examine the incident you’ve experienced and determine whether Maryland or federal labor laws have been violated by your employer. From there, we can walk you through the legal process and ensure your voice is heard. Hopefully, you can walk away from your experience feeling gratified by the outcome.
Minimum Wage and Overtime Laws
The majority of labor law cases come in the form of wage and hour claims. Employers commonly pay their employees less than they deserve because they don’t abide by minimum wage, overtime, or worker classification policies. The minimum wage in the state of Maryland is $10.10 per hour. Employees who work over forty hours per week must be paid one-and-one-half times their wage.
Misclassification of workers occurs when employers consider their employees to be part-time or independent contractors, yet the employees work full-time hours and deserve higher wages or benefits.
Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)
In the state of Maryland, any employer with fifteen or more employees who offers paid leave must allow their employees to use that paid leave to care for sick family members, regardless of the severity of the illness. There’s no time limit on how long the leave period can be; however, the paid time will only last as long as the company’s paid leave policy allows.
Maryland also allows employees to receive six weeks of unpaid leave for childbirth and adoption as long as the employee has worked for the employer for at least one year. Paid sick leave is also required for companies that have fifteen or more employees, and unpaid sick leave is required for companies that have fifteen or fewer employees.
In addition to the FMLA, Maryland has other time-off laws to protect employees, including:
- Family military leave (companies with fifty or more employees)
- Military leave
- Civil Air Patrol leave (companies with fifteen or more employees)
- Jury duty leave
- Witness and victim leave
- Voting leave
Health and Safety Laws
Both federal and state organizations work together to ensure every company is safe for its employees. The federal organization is known as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Maryland’s state program is known as Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH).
MOSH develops rules and regulations for businesses in the state to help prevent accidents and illness at work. They also conduct educational programs and do outreach to ensure employers and employees are aware of proper safety precautions. Violations of safety and health guidelines in Maryland can be reported to both MOSH and OSHA.
How to File a Labor Law Complaint
While safety hazards are reported to separate organizations because of the unique risk they have on employees, other violations of labor laws, such as lost wages or withholding benefits, can be reported to the Employment Standards Service (ESS). ESS will conduct an investigation and try to get your employer to pay any wages owed to you.
In the case that your employer knowingly withheld benefits or wages, you may be awarded additional compensatory damages on top of the back pay for your wages. In some cases, criminal charges can be filed against your employer, depending on the severity of your case.
You can also file a federal labor law complaint against your employer through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division. A similar process will ensue, and if no verdict is determined, you can pursue a private lawsuit.
Contact a Maryland Labor Lawyer
While you must file a complaint with a federal or state agency before you can file a private lawsuit against your employer, taking the time to hold your employer accountable is a smart move. You deserve to be protected under all of the laws your employer is held to, whether it be time off, wages, or proper working conditions.
At Snider & Associates, LLC, our lawyers are here to assist you through every step of the claims process. If you’re ready to speak with a Maryland labor law attorney today, you can fill out the contact form below or call 410-653-9060.