Workers in Maryland have both Federal and state laws that protect them from getting fired for an illegal reason. If you’re a Maryland worker who was fired from a job for an illegal reason you should speak with an employment attorney in Maryland to find out more about filing a complaint against your previous employer.
What Is Maryland’s Anti Discrimination Law?
Maryland, like most states, has an anti-discrimination law that applies to housing and employment. Maryland’s law makes it illegal for employers to fire someone out of retaliation, or because of their race, gender, age, disability, religion, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or where they are from. If you were fired by a Maryland employer for a reason that is protected by law your former employer could face state penalties or charges for discrimination.
What Other Laws Protect Maryland Workers From Wrongful Termination?
Maryland is an at-will employment state, which means that employers have a lot of leeway when it comes to firing employees. In fact, in at-will employment states employers can fire employees for almost any reason. Except the reasons that are protected by Maryland law and Federal law. Even in at-will employment states employers must follow state and Federal employment laws.
Title VII of the Federal Civil Rights act says that US employers can’t fire someone because of their race, gender, religion, or where they are from. The Supreme Court has included categories like gender identity and sexual orientation in Title VII too. If your employer fired you because of your race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, pregnancy status, or another reason protected by Federal law you can file a complaint against that employer. Other Federal laws that protect employees from unlawful firing include:
- The Americans With Disabilities Act
- The Family Medical Leave Act
- The Pregnancy Protection Act
And many others.
Who Oversees the Wrongful Termination Laws in Maryland?
Workers in Maryland who were unlawfully terminated from a job can file a complaint with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights. The MCCR investigates all violations of state employment laws including illegal firings. You can file a complaint with the MCCR and they will assign an investigator to your case.
If you were fired for a reason that violates one of the Federal employment laws you can file a complaint with the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The EEOC investigates workplace rights violations in all 50 states. The EEOC and the MCCR may work together to investigate whether or not you were the victim of an illegal termination.
Get in Touch With a Lawyer That Takes Maryland Wrongful Termination Claims
If you were fired for an illegal reason in Maryland, you probably have questions about how to file a complaint and what you need to include in the complaint. The best way to get your specific questions answers is to talk with an employment attorney. Fill out a Free Case Evaluation to get connected with an independent attorney who subscribes to the website and takes cases in Maryland.
