410-290-6232
Chevy Chase Employment Law Attorney
Mr. Lindsay Freedman is hands down the best lawyer in Maryland!
He is thorough, prompt, knowledgeable and very profes-sional. I had a tough case, facing one of the largest compa-nies in the world. He never showed any fear, and helped me win my case. I highly recommend him!
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Aggressive Employment Lawyers Advocating for Clients in Chevy Chase, Maryland
Protecting your rights as an employee is not always easy, especially if you do not know what rights you are entitled to. Concerns can arise over unpaid labor, discrimination in the workplace, sexual harassment, or wrongful firings, and handling these issues on your own can be intimidating. With the help of a Chevy Chase, MD employment law attorney, you can navigate these issues with confidence.
At Freedman Law, LLC, we have represented clients in state and federal courts, fighting to protect their interests with our advanced knowledge of the law. We also represent businesses in various employment law issues, so do not hesitate to reach out if you need urgent legal representation.
Wage and Hour Disputes in Chevy Chase
For many workers in Chevy Chase, a paycheck is not just a number on a stub. When an employer withholds wages, miscalculates overtime, or pressures employees to work off the clock, the damage can ripple through every part of a person's life. Maryland law and federal law both prohibit wage theft, yet violations still occur in offices, restaurants, retail stores, construction sites, and professional workplaces.
Common examples of wage theft include failing to pay minimum wage, refusing to pay overtime, misclassifying employees as independent contractors, and requiring off-the-clock work. Some employers round down time entries in a way that consistently favors the company. Others automatically deduct meal breaks even when employees continue working through lunch. Commissioned employees may find that bonuses or commissions are withheld without explanation, or that the calculation method changes without notice.
Maryland's Wage Payment and Collection Law requires employers to pay all wages due for work performed before the termination of employment. The Maryland Wage and Hour Law sets minimum wage and overtime standards that often mirror, and in some instances expand upon, federal protections under the Fair Labor Standards Act. When an employer fails to comply, employees may have the right to recover unpaid wages, and in some cases additional damages.
FMLA Violations
The Family and Medical Leave Act provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for specific family and medical reasons. This can include caring for a newborn child, addressing a serious health condition, or assisting an immediate family member with a qualifying medical issue. Maryland employees working for covered employers have the right to take this leave without fear of losing their jobs.
FMLA violations can take subtle forms. An employer may discourage an employee from taking leave by implying that it will harm promotional opportunities. A supervisor may fail to inform a worker that their situation qualifies for protected leave. In more direct cases, an employer may deny leave outright, count protected leave against attendance policies, or terminate an employee shortly after they request time off.
Interference and retaliation are both prohibited under the FMLA. Interference occurs when an employer obstructs or denies an employee's lawful use of leave. Retaliation happens when an employer punishes an employee for requesting or taking leave. Employees in Chevy Chase who believe their FMLA rights were violated may have legal recourse to recover lost wages, obtain reinstatement, or seek other remedies allowed by law.
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What Workplace Discrimination Looks Like
Workplace discrimination is not always loud or obvious. Sometimes it is an outright refusal to hire someone because of their race, religion, or gender. Other times it is more subtle—a pattern of unequal discipline, consistently lower pay for similar work, or exclusion from opportunities that advance a career.
Federal law, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. Additional federal laws protect employees against discrimination based on age, disability, genetic information, and pregnancy. Maryland law, through the Maryland Fair Employment Practices Act, provides parallel and in some cases broader protections. In Montgomery County, local ordinances may add further layers of protection.
Discrimination can manifest in hiring, firing, promotions, compensation, training, and other terms and conditions of employment. Harassment that creates a hostile work environment can also qualify as unlawful discrimination when it is based on a protected characteristic and is severe or pervasive enough to alter the conditions of employment.
Retaliation is another critical component. Employees who file complaints, participate in investigations, or oppose discriminatory practices are protected from adverse actions taken in response to those activities. When an employer crosses these lines, the harm is not only professional but personal. Maryland law recognizes that such conduct undermines both individual dignity and workplace fairness.
Where Are Employment Law Cases Heard in Chevy Chase?
Employment law cases arising in Chevy Chase may be filed in state or federal court, depending on the nature of the claims. Many wage and hour and discrimination claims are heard in the District Court of Maryland for Montgomery County:
- District Court of Maryland for Montgomery County, 191 East Jefferson Street, Rockville, MD 20850-2630
Frequently Asked Questions About Employment Law in Chevy Chase
Yes. Sexual harassment is considered a form of sex discrimination under both federal and Maryland law. It can involve unwanted advances, asking for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Harassment becomes unlawful when it affects employment decisions or creates a hostile work environment. Employers have a duty to take reasonable steps to prevent and correct such conduct.
Retaliation for filing a discrimination complaint is prohibited under federal and Maryland law. An employer cannot lawfully terminate, demote, reduce hours, or otherwise punish an employee for asserting their rights. If adverse action follows a complaint, that timing may be legally significant and worth reviewing with an attorney.
Many employees in Maryland are entitled to overtime pay at one and one-half times their regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. However, certain exemptions apply, including for some executive, administrative, and professional employees. Whether a worker qualifies for overtime depends on job duties and compensation structure, not simply job title.
Contact a Chevy Chase, MD Employment Lawyer
Workplace disputes can leave you feeling powerless, but you still have rights, and you still have options. At Freedman Law, LLC, we can review your situation, explain what Maryland employment law may allow, and help you decide what to do next. Call 410-290-6232 or contact our Chevy Chase, MD employment law attorneys to schedule a consultation.
Columbia Office
10015 Old Columbia Rd, #B215
Columbia, MD 21046
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North Bethesda Office
11810 Grand Park Ave, Suite 500
North Bethesda, MD 20852
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McLean Office
8200 Greensboro Dr, #900
McLean, VA 22102
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