Maryland Employment Lawyers

We Will Help You Stand Up to Your Employer and Protect Your Rights

Employment Law

As an employee working in Maryland, it can seem like your employer holds all the power and that the law is always in their favor. This view is not completely accurate. While it is true that Maryland employers have a significant amount of control over how things are done in the workplace, they are not allowed to abuse and discriminate against their employees or violate any other established employment law.

If you are involved in a Maryland employment dispute, we can help. The experienced Maryland employment lawyers at the Law Firm of J.W. Stafford, LLC can review your case and help determine whether or not your employer has violated any federal, state or local laws that may give rise to a claim against your employer. You do not have to go through this difficult time alone.

The Benefits of Working With Maryland Employment Attorneys

The Law Firm of J.W. Stafford, LLC has years of experience protecting the rights of Maryland workers. We handle several types of employment matters and disputes. No employment issue is too large or too small for our attorneys to review and provide advice as to whether or not we can help. Unfortunately, employees in Maryland and across the nation are taken advantage of by employers, because these workers often are not aware of the employer’s obligations under the law. The following are some of the more common ways that employers violate the rights of their employees in Maryland:

In the majority of employment-related disputes, the employee bears the burden of establishing that his or her rights were violated by a Maryland employer. For this reason, it is vital that you hire an experienced and knowledgeable employment dispute attorney to handle your case. The Law Firm of J.W. Stafford, LLC has extensive experience and can provide you the skilled legal representation necessary to ensure your rights are protected under state and federal laws.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of any of these prohibited behaviors, contact us today for a confidential consultation with a knowledgeable Maryland employment attorney.

How A Maryland Employment Lawyer Can Help You in an Employment Dispute

1. Investigating Your Claim

If you believe that you have a claim against your employer, a government agency or court won’t just take your word for it; you must prove that your version of events is the correct version. To do this, our Maryland employment attorneys will help you gather all of the evidence you will need to present a compelling case, such as:

  • Interviewing witnesses to the dispute (including your employer)
  • Obtaining records and files related to the incident (such as your hours log, workplace entry/exit records, photos and video surveillance, etc.)
  • Reviewing your employment agreement or contract (if applicable)
  • Investigating similar past incidents by your employer

2. Evaluating the Legal Merits of Your Case

Even though you may feel that you have been wronged by your employer, not all employer conduct is legally actionable. In order to prevail in an employment law case, you must prove all of the elements of each cause of action, whether your claim is for wrongful termination, wrongful discharge, discrimination, retaliation, breach of contract, or any other type of employment dispute. At the federal level, most employment claims arise under one or more of the following statutes:

The state of Maryland also prohibits discrimination in the workplace through the Maryland Fair Employment Practices Act.

A skilled Maryland employment lawyer will be able to apply the requirements of each of these statutes to the specific facts of your case to weigh the strength of your claim. 

3. Calculating Your Damages

“Damages” is the legal term for the harm you suffered (in monetary terms) as a result of the defendant’s conduct. Generally, the amount of damages to which a successful plaintiff is entitled is the amount necessary to put him or her in the same position he or she would have been in had the incident not occurred. In employment law, this can include:

  • Lost pay
  • Lost benefits
  • Unpaid overtime
  • Bonuses or commissions to which you were entitled
  • Consequential damages (e.g., medical bills, job search costs, relocation expenses, etc.)
  • Pain and suffering damages
  • Punitive damages (typically in discrimination cases)

Calculating the exact amount of damages you suffered can often be a complex undertaking, but an employment attorney has extensive experience doing so and can help you determine the correct amount.

4. Advocating on Your Behalf

Once an employment lawyer determines that your employer likely violated one or more federal or state laws, he or she will then initiate legal proceedings on your behalf, including:

  • Representing your interests in mediation or settlement negotiations with your employer
  • Filing official complaints with the appropriate government agency (such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights)
  • Representing you in administrative hearings and appeals
  • Filing and pursing civil suits on your behalf at the federal or state level

For more information about what employment attorneys do and how they can help you, contact the Maryland employment attorneys at the Law Firm of J.W. Stafford.

Employment Contract Disputes in Maryland

Along with matters arising under state and federal employment laws, we also provide legal advice and representation for disputes arising under employment contracts. If you have questions or need help asserting your contractual rights as a current or former executive or employee, a Maryland employment attorney at our firm can walk you through everything you need to know. While many employment contract-related disputes can be resolved informally with the right approach, our lawyers can also pursue mediation, arbitration or litigation on your behalf as necessary.

At The Law Firm of J.W. Stafford, LLC, we handle employment matters and contract disputes in Maryland including, but not limited to:

  • Job Descriptions and Duties – In many cases, contract-based employees can face issues with their employers expecting them to do more than is legally required. If you have an employment contract, you should not face discipline or termination for refusing to do anything beyond the scope of your contractual job description or job duties.
  • Executive and Employee Compensation – Compensation is a common issue in employment contract disputes as well. If your current or former employer is refusing to pay the full compensation to which you are contractually entitled, a Maryland employment attorney at The Law Firm of J.W. Stafford, LLC can help.
  • Overtime Pay – Overtime pay issues can be tricky, especially in contractual employment relationships. However, if you are entitled to overtime pay, you can—and should—take legal action to ensure that you receive the full compensation you are entitled to receive for your services.
  • Severance – Severance compensation disputes are also common. If you have separated from your former employer and have been trying unsuccessfully to secure the severance compensation provided for in your employment contract, we encourage you to contact us promptly so that we can help.
  • Medical Leave – If you need to take medical leave during the term of your employment contract, it will be important to understand how your contract and the law protect you. An employment law attorney at our firm can explain everything you need to know and help you take legal action as warranted.
  • Vacation Leave – Vacation leave disputes can present considerations and issues that are both similar and dissimilar to those involving medical leave. This includes disputes regarding the right to take vacation leave as well as disputes involving the right to “buy out” unused vacation time.
  • Contract Term and Termination – We also regularly represent executives and other employees in employment contract disputes involving term and termination. Whether you are being accused of leaving your post prematurely or need to pursue a wrongful termination claim against a former employer, we can use our experience to advise and represent you effectively.

We handle disputes involving alleged non-disclosure, non-solicitation and non-competition violations as well. If you are being accused of violating the confidentiality, non-solicitation or non-competitive provisions of your employment contract, or if you are being accused of violating a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) you signed with your current or former employer, a Maryland employment lawyer at The Law Firm of J.W. Stafford, LLC can help you respond to these allegations appropriately. Your lawyer can assess any claims you may have against your employer as well, and, if warranted, your lawyer can take legal action on your behalf.

How Can We Help You?

So, how can we help you? Are you dealing with harassment or discrimination at work? Do you need to file a claim for unpaid wages? Do you need to enforce your rights under an employment contract? Do you need legal advice or legal representation for another employment-related matter in Maryland?

Regardless of your situation, if you need help making smart decisions about protecting your legal rights, your career or your right to compensation, we invite you to get in touch. Once you do, we will arrange for you to speak with a Maryland employment lawyer at our offices in strict confidence as soon as possible. During your initial consultation, your lawyer will give you the legal advice you need to start framing your thoughts, and your lawyer will also walk you through your next steps if you decide to take action.

We handle employment disputes informally, in mediation and arbitration, in court, before the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and before other state and federal agencies. In short, no matter what it takes to protect your legal rights, we have the experience you need. We can also take legal action on your behalf on an emergency basis if necessary (i.e. if you are running out of time to file a claim). No matter what it takes, you can count on our lawyers to fight for the outcome you deserve.

Don’t Run Out of Time to Assert Your Legal Rights

Employment-related claims are subject to strict deadlines in many cases. If you only have a limited amount of time to assert your legal rights as an employee, it is critical that you take action before the relevant deadline expires. With this in mind, if you think you may need to take legal action, we strongly encourage you to contact us right away. We will never pressure you to take legal action, but we will let you know if time is of the essence. This way, you can make informed decisions with your long-term best interests in mind before it is too late.

Contact Our Maryland Employment Attorneys Today

You can rest assured that working with the Law Firm of J.W. Stafford, LLC is confidential, uncomplicated, and efficient. No matter what type of legal issues you are having related to your employment in Maryland, our attorneys can help. We will take the time to go over your case and provide you with honest and accurate information about what legal options are available to you. We have represented many workers in their employment disputes and will aggressively fight on your behalf.  Contact us today at 410-514-6099 to set up a consultation with an experienced Maryland employment lawyer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of personal questions can a potential employer ask during an interview and how do I know if they crossed the line?

Questions in job interviews should generally focus on the applicant’s skills and qualifications for the job rather than his or her personal life. Certain personal questions (such as “What do you like to do for fun?” or “Are you more of a dog or cat person?”) are allowable, but questions delving into the candidate’s age, race or ethnicity, gender, marital status, disability or religion can expose the interviewer to discrimination lawsuits.

Can I take legal action if I was discriminated against or harassed during an interview?

Yes. Federal law prohibits most employers from discriminating against potential hires at any point during the interview process. If you can prove that you were not hired due to your race, age, sex, or any other protected characteristic, you may take legal action.

Was I wrongfully terminated?

Because many individuals are employed at-will (i.e., can be fired for any reason or no reason), it’s often difficult to determine whether a termination is “wrongful.” However, there are a few red flags that indicate that an employee’s termination may have been wrongful, including termination based on:

  • Sex or gender
  • Race or ethnicity
  • Age
  • Sexual harassment, or
  • Whistleblowing activity

Does my employer have to pay me severance if I am laid off?

Generally speaking, severance pay is discretionary and employers are not required to provide terminated or laid-off employees with severance pay. However, the employer may be required to provide severance pay if (1) a state law mandates it in a particular situation, or (2) the employee’s contract provides for a severance package.

How can I tell if I have a valid workplace discrimination claim?

If you believe that you are being discriminated against in the workplace, it is important that you document instances of discriminatory behavior and report them using your company’s internal reporting procedures. This is the best way to ensure that you leave a paper trail that can be used in subsequent litigation. Additionally, if you have specific questions and concerns that you believe require legal assistance, do not hesitate to contact a Maryland employment lawyer.

What is the minimum wage in Maryland?

As of November 2018, Maryland’s minimum wage is $10.10 per hour and $3.63 per hour for tipped employees.

Can my employer pay me in cash/pre-paid cards?

While it is not illegal for employers to pay their employees in cash, the employer and employee must nonetheless report and pay taxes on the income to the IRS.

What are Maryland's laws regarding breaks and meal periods during the workday?

For workers over the age of 18, Maryland does not require employers to provide breaks or mealtime to their employees. For workers under the age of 18, the employee must receive a 30-minute break for every five hours of work.

Are all employees in Maryland allowed vacation or sick days?

The Maryland Healthy Working Families Act requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide paid sick leave for most employees, while employers with fewer than 15 employees must provide unpaid sick leave. An employee accrues sick leave at a rate of at least one hour for every 30 hours worked; however, an employee may not earn more than 40 hours of sick leave in a year or more than 64 hours of sick leave at any time. Maryland law does not require employers to provide vacation time.

Can I be denied a request for personal, family, or medical leave?

Yes. Maryland law does not require employers to provide personal or family leave. And although the state does require employers to provide sick leave, it also authorizes employers to establish notice requirements for taking sick leave and expressly permits them to deny leave in certain circumstances.

Am I required to work overtime?

Yes, if your employer requests it. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not prohibit employers from requiring their employees to work overtime. However, Maryland law prohibits employers from requiring Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs) to work overtime in most circumstances.

Am I entitled to overtime pay?

Yes. Non-exempt employees who work overtime are entitled to one and one-half (1.5) times their regular hourly wage for work that is performed in excess of 40 hours in a seven-day week. Leave time, including vacation, sick leave, family leave, etc., does not count toward the 40-hour weekly accumulation for overtime purposes. If you believe you have not been compensated appropriately for overtime worked, call our office to speak with a Maryland employment lawyer today.

Can my employer change my employment status (ex. from exempt to non-exempt)?

Yes, as long as you meet the requirements for each classification. Non-exempt employees are paid hourly and are required to be paid overtime in certain circumstances. Exempt employees, by contrast, are paid a salary and are not subject to overtime payment requirements. If your employer changes your employment status from exempt to non-exempt (or vice versa), your payment arrangements should also change to match your new classification.

Can my employer reduce my pay or hours?

Yes. Unless your position is covered by an employment contract that states that you will work a certain number of hours and receive a certain amount of pay, your employer may lower your pay or hours at any time, so long as the employer gives you one full period of advanced notice.

How should I handle a sexual advance from a co-worker?

Sexual advances in the workplace are inappropriate and can be extremely uncomfortable and distressing for the victim of the advances. If you feel that a coworker is making a sexual advance toward you, there are a few steps you can take, including:

  • Asking the individual to stop
  • Speaking to your manager
  • Speaking to your Human Resources department

If these methods fail, you also have the option to file an administrative charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or bring a civil suit against the employer.

What kind of evidence do I need to bring my Maryland employment attorney if I want to bring a discrimination or harassment case?

Discrimination and harassment claims are often tricky because they can be difficult to prove in the absence of a direct admission from the employer that it discriminated against an employee. However, a plaintiff can also prove discrimination and harassment with circumstantial evidence, such as:

  • Observations of different treatment of the plaintiff from other employees
  • Rude, derogatory, or sexual comments made by supervisors
  • A history of previous discriminatory or sexual complaints against the employer
  • Jobs or promotions being awarded to individuals with lesser qualifications but different characteristics (i.e., race, sex, etc.) than the plaintiff

What is the Whistleblower Protection Act?

The Whistleblower Protection Act is a federal statute that protects federal employees from retaliation (i.e., firing, reducing pay, making the employee’s job unpleasant, etc.) when they report wrongdoing by their employers. This wrongdoing can include a wide range of behaviors, including violating laws, mismanaging funds, abuse of authority, and creating a danger to public health and safety. The state of Maryland also enforces a number of state-level whistleblowing statutes.

Can my boss use my social media profile against me?

Generally, yes. So long as the employer is not violating federal anti-discrimination laws (i.e., disciplining an employee based on social media posts related to their race, age, sex, etc.) or punishing the employee for discussing company polices on social media, an employer may discipline an employee for inappropriate social media posts.

Can my employment be terminated for conduct that takes place outside of work?

Yes. While employers may not terminate employees for discriminatory reasons, they may terminate employees for engaging in criminal activity or conduct otherwise unbecoming of an employee that occurs outside of work. This is especially true in cases of at-will employment or cases in which the employee’s contract contains a morality clause.

Do I qualify for unemployment benefits?

In order to receive unemployment benefits in Maryland, you must:

  • Be able to work
  • Be actively searching for a new job
  • Have lost your job through no fault of your own
  • Have worked in the State of Maryland for a certain amount of time (known as a “base period”)
  • Have earned at least $1,176 in the quarter prior to losing your job
  • Have earned at least 1.5 times the earnings of your highest-paid quarter over the entire base period

What is the statute of limitations for bringing an employment lawsuit in Maryland?

If you believe that you have been discriminated in the workplace, you generally have six months to file a complaint with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights. Please note, however, that depending on the claim the time to file may be shorter or longer than six months.  That is why it is absolutely imperative that you contact a Maryland employment attorney as soon as possible.

Why hire a Maryland employment law firm?

Employment law is complex and can be confusing to the average person, especially since employment lawsuits often proceed based on an interaction of federal and state claims. A Maryland employment lawyer will be able to assist you in identifying possible employment law issues, gathering evidence, building a case, and navigating it through the court system.

What out-of-pocket costs or fees should I expect if I work with an attorney?

As with all legal questions, the answer is “it depends,” not only on the complexity of your case, but also on the individual attorney’s fee structure for a particular matter. In some cases, attorneys charge a flat fee for performing a certain task. In others, they charge hourly. In still others, they charge on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you do not pay unless they win your case. Whenever you hire a employment law firm, make sure that you understand your fee agreement from the outset of the representation.

Contact a Leading Maryland Employment Law Firm Today

Do you have an employment law question that we didn’t cover here? Contact the Maryland employment attorneys at the Law Firm of J.W. Stafford by filling out our online form or calling us at 410-514-6099.

Sending an e-mail to the Law Firm of J.W. Stafford, LLC or an attorney at the Law Firm of J.W. Stafford, LLC does not create an attorney-client relationship. An attorney-client relationship is not created until we consider conflicts of interest, agree to represent you, and execute a Client Agreement confirming this representation.

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