Maryland has one Equal Employment Opportunity (EEOC) field office. If the incident in question took place within the state of Maryland then you should file your claim at the EEOC office in Baltimore, even though Maryland falls within the Philadelphia District, which also has offices in Cleveland and Pittsburgh.
Please be advised that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, field offices across the country are closed to in-person intake interviews.
For your convenience, you can access more information, download forms and schedule a phone appointment through the EEOC Public Portal website or contact your local EEOC office.
The EEOC is the federal government agency responsible for protecting employees’ rights in the workplace. If you have experienced discrimination in a legally protected category such as race, sex, age or religion, then you can file an EEOC claim in Maryland.
You cannot file a private lawsuit against your employer without filing a claim with the EEOC first, so this is a step that must be taken if you wish to move your case forward.
If you have been the victim of discrimination, it’s important to act quickly. You have 300 days from the date of the incident to file a claim with the EEOC.
Each state has different guidelines and laws governing discrimination claims, and so you should consider contacting an employment attorney to help guide you through the EEOC claim process in Maryland.
EEOC Office Information in Maryland
- GH Fallon Federal Building
- 31 Hopkins Plaza, Suite 1432
- Baltimore, MD 21201
- Office Hours: M-F 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
- Phone: 1-800-669-4000
- Director: Rosemarie Rhodes
- Regional Attorney: Debra Lawrence
State Employment Laws
Maryland’s state laws governing workplace discrimination generally cover discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, marital status, age, sexual orientation, genetic identity, gender identity, genetic information or disability.
The complicated part comes with how the laws are enforced in different counties. Various counties throughout the state, such as Howard County, Baltimore County and Frederick County, have additional protections for workers.
You can file a state claim with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR). Since many counties have different regulations, it would be a good idea to consult with an attorney to determine where you should file a claim.
The state and federal government have a work sharing agreement that allows you to cross-file a complaint in both agencies, but be advised that the EEOC only covers employers with over 15 employees while some of the counties cover smaller workplaces.
While you have 300 days from the date of the incident to file a complaint with the EEOC, you have to file a claim with the state within six months of the date of the incident. Individual counties in Maryland also have different timelines that must be followed.
As noted above, you cannot file a discrimination lawsuit without going through the EEOC first, so having an employment attorney working on your behalf from the very beginning can be very helpful.
Given how the laws change by county in Maryland, working with an attorney will ensure that you’re filing your EEOC claim in the appropriate place under the correct timeline.
An employment attorney can help you determine where to file, when to file, help to gather evidence and help to represent you in court if your case isn’t settled before going to court. You will also have the peace of mind knowing that you have an expert working on your behalf through the entire process.
To learn more about how an employment attorney can help you with your EEOC claim in Maryland, fill out a free case evaluation.
Additional Resources
