What Can (and Can’t) Your Boss Ask You to Do in Maryland?

As an employee in Maryland, you have clear legal rights. While your boss can ask you to perform tasks related to your employment, there are clear limits on what your boss can require. If your boss has violated your legal rights, you should talk to an experienced Maryland employment lawyer about the legal options you have available.

Some bosses are better than others. If you work under a manager, supervisor or company executive, it is important to make sure you know what your boss can (and can’t) ask you to do at work. Bosses often overreach, and if your boss asks you to do something that he or she is not legally allowed to ask you to do, you may have grounds to take legal action.

In this scenario, an experienced Maryland employment lawyer can help you determine if legal action is warranted. If it is, seeking financial compensation (or other remedies) will most likely involve filing a complaint with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR) or the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). But there are other possibilities as well, and it will be important to ensure that you are making informed decisions based on the specific circumstances of your case.

What Can Your Boss Ask You to Do in Maryland?

So, what can your boss ask you to do in Maryland? Generally speaking, your boss can ask you to do anything that falls within the scope of your employment. This includes asking you to perform your assigned job duties, but it can also involve asking for flexibility. Your boss can ask you to comply with other terms of your employment as well. Some examples of requests that are generally permissible include:

• Asking you to take on additional job duties that are within your capabilities
• Asking you to adjust your schedule
• Asking you to work overtime
• Asking you to change work locations or return to the office if you have been working from home
• Asking you to maintain confidentiality of sensitive or proprietary information

Keep in mind, just because your boss asks, this does not necessarily mean that you have to say “Yes.” However, since Maryland is an at-will employment state, refusing a lawful request from your boss could put your job at risk. As we said above, it is important to make informed decisions; if you have questions about what you are (or aren’t) required to do as an employee, don’t hesitate to seek help.

What Can’t Your Boss Ask You to Do in Maryland?

Now, what can’t your boss ask you to do in Maryland? There are several circumstances in which a boss’s request can cross the line from permissible to unlawful. For example, your boss generally cannot ask you to:

• Endanger Your Health or Safety – You should not be required to take unreasonable risks that make you unsafe, or that could lead to serious injuries or illnesses.
• Work Without Reasonable Accommodations – If you need a reasonable accommodation to do your job, your boss cannot ask you to work without one (or ask you not to make a request).
• Violate the Law (or Cover Up a Violation of the Law) – Under no circumstances can your boss ask you to engage in illegal activity or cover up illegal activity for your employer’s benefit.
• Avoid Discussing Compensation with Your Coworkers – Maryland law generally prohibits employers from restricting employees’ communications with one another about their wages.
• Work “Off the Clock” – If you are a “non-exempt” worker (meaning that you receive an hourly wage), you are entitled to compensation for each hour that you work.
• Agree to Report Your Income as an Independent Contractor – If you qualify as an employee, your employer cannot attempt to classify you as an independent contractor to reduce its tax liability.
• Consent to Sexual Advances as a Condition of Employment – Requesting sexual advances in exchange for job-related benefits is a clear violation of state and federal law.

While exceptions exist in some cases, these are the general rules that apply to employees across Maryland. If you believe that your boss has violated your rights, you should not hesitate to seek advice from an experienced Maryland employment lawyer.

FAQs: Holding Your Employer Accountable in Maryland

What should I do if I feel uncomfortable with something my boss asked me to do?

If you feel uncomfortable with something your boss asked you to do at work, you should not ignore your concerns. Whether you have concerns about your personal safety or you have concerns about the legal implications of your boss’s request, it will be worth seeking advice to ensure that you make an informed decision about whether to comply.

Can I sue my employer if my boss made a sexual advance?

If your boss made a sexual advance, you may have grounds to file a sexual harassment claim against your employer. State and federal law prohibit employers in Maryland from requesting sexual favors or sexual acts as a condition of employment or receiving any employment-related benefit.

My boss asked me to ignore illegal behavior at work. Is that okay?

No, your boss cannot legally ask you to ignore illegal behavior at work. If you have information about harassment, discrimination, or other impermissible conduct, your boss cannot legally discourage or prevent you from coming forward.

How the Employment Attorneys at Our Firm Can Help

Our practice is devoted to helping employees stand up for their legal rights. If you believe that your boss has violated your legal rights, we strongly encourage you to get in touch. We can help you understand whether legal action is warranted and, if it is, take appropriate action on your behalf.

Schedule an Appointment with a Maryland Employment Lawyer Today

To speak with an experienced Maryland employment lawyer at The Law Firm of J.W. Stafford, LLC, contact us today. Call 410-514-6099 or tell us how we can reach you online to arrange a confidential consultation.