Towson, Maryland Wage and Hour Theft Lawyers

Aggressive Attorneys for Wage and Hour Violations in Towson, MD

All employees deserve fair compensation for their labor. When an employer fails to pay the wages you have earned or forces you to work off the clock, the financial strain can be severe. You may struggle to cover rent, utilities, or family needs while feeling powerless against an employer who flouts the law. If you suspect you have been subjected to wage and hour violations, a Towson wage and hour lawyer can help you assert your rights, recover unpaid wages, and hold your employer accountable under Maryland and federal law.

At Freedman Law, LLC, we provide fierce representation and legal advice to employees confronting wage theft and related employment law disputes. Our attorneys have a deep understanding of the Fair Labor Standards Act and Maryland Wage Payment and Collection Law, allowing us to effectively stand up for the rights of employees. Attorney Lindsay Freedman has guided many employees through successful claims for unpaid overtime, minimum wage violations, and misclassification disputes.

Minimum Wage Laws in Maryland

Maryland sets its own minimum wage, which may exceed the federal baseline. Local jurisdictions, including Montgomery County and Baltimore County, may enact higher rates for employers operating within their boundaries. Employers must pay at least the state or local rate, whichever is higher. Maryland law also requires prompt payment of earned wages on established paydays, with penalties for late payments and willful violations.

Maryland's minimum wage protections cover almost all employees, with narrow exceptions for certain tipped workers, some student learners, and bona fide executive, administrative, and professional employees who meet strict duties and salary thresholds. Even where an employee's regular rate qualifies for an exemption from overtime, the employer cannot pay below the minimum hourly threshold. Our Towson wage and hour attorneys review your classification and pay records to ensure compliance with both state and local minimum wage laws.

Overtime Laws in Towson, MD

Under federal law, most employees must receive overtime pay at one and one-half times their regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. Maryland law mirrors this standard and applies it to state-covered employees. Some employers attempt to circumvent overtime obligations by manipulating time records or encouraging off-the-clock work. Others wrongly classify workers as exempt from overtime.

Employers must calculate the "regular rate" correctly, factoring in commissions, nondiscretionary bonuses, and certain shift differentials. Failure to include these compensation components can understate the overtime premium due. Our attorneys can review your pay stubs, timesheets, and commission plans to identify underpayments. If you worked through meal breaks or had compensable travel time, those hours may also qualify for overtime. We will pursue full recovery of all unpaid overtime and any statutory liquidated damages permitted under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Have I Been Misclassified as an Exempt Employee?

Exemptions from minimum wage and overtime are narrow. To qualify as exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act, an employee generally must satisfy all of the following tests:

• The employee must be paid on a salary basis above a certain amount
• The employee must perform exempt duties in an executive or administrative capacity
• The employee must be overseeing at least two other full-time employees
• The employee must have major input in personnel decisions, including hiring and firing

Misclassification can lead to substantial wage underpayments. Common misclassification occurs when employers label workers as independent contractors, salaried professionals, or supervisors without meeting the legal criteria. If you worked regular hours without overtime or your commission structure masked your true "regular rate," you may be entitled to back pay. Our Towson wage and hour attorneys will analyze job descriptions, payroll records, and your actual duties to challenge improper exemptions and secure the wages you earned.

Can My Employer Force Me to Work Through a Break or Lunch?

Federal and Maryland law safeguard meal and rest breaks under limited circumstances. While no federal law requires employers to provide breaks, if an employer chooses to offer a break shorter than 20 minutes, it is compensable work time. Meal periods of 30 minutes or more may be unpaid only if the employee is completely relieved of duties. Maryland's Wage and Hour Law does not mandate meal breaks for adult employees but prohibits deductions for breaks where work continues.