Upper Marlboro Employment Law Attorneys

Skilled Employment Lawyers for Clients in Upper Marlboro, Maryland

If you are going through a legal dispute as an employee or an employer, securing representation is critical. If you do not understand your rights or obligations, you could run into serious complications. An Upper Marlboro, MD employment law attorney can make sure you are well-informed, arming you with knowledge while standing up for your interests.

At Freedman Law, LLC, we are here to provide you with necessary guidance and advocacy when your career or livelihood is at risk. We are well equipped to handle a variety of issues, whether it concerns wage theft, discrimination, disability accommodations, or similar problems within the workplace.

Requesting Reasonable Disability Accommodations at Your Job

If you have a physical or mental condition that affects your ability to perform certain job tasks, you may have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees with disabilities unless doing so would create an undue hardship on the business.

A disability may include a condition that substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as walking, lifting, seeing, hearing, concentrating, or working. It can also include certain chronic illnesses, mental health conditions, or temporary impairments that significantly affect daily functioning. To be protected, you must be able to perform the essential functions of your job with or without accommodation.

Reasonable accommodations can take many forms. They may include modified work schedules, remote work arrangements, job restructuring, assistive technologies, or adjustments to workplace policies. The law does not require employers to eliminate essential job duties or create entirely new roles, but they must engage in an interactive process once an accommodation request is made.

You do not need to use specific legal language when requesting an accommodation. However, you should clearly communicate that you need an adjustment due to a medical condition. If your employer refuses to discuss options, ignores your request, or denies a reasonable accommodation without explanation, you may have grounds for a legal claim.

What Counts as a Wage and Hour Violation?

Wage and hour violations occur when an employer fails to comply with federal or Maryland laws governing pay. The Fair Labor Standards Act establishes nationwide standards for minimum wage and overtime pay, while Maryland wage laws provide additional protections for employees in Upper Marlboro and throughout Prince George's County.

Common wage and hour violations include failing to pay minimum wage, refusing to pay overtime to eligible employees for hours worked over 40 in a workweek, misclassifying employees as independent contractors to avoid paying benefits or overtime, requiring off-the-clock work, and withholding final paychecks. Employers are also required to maintain accurate payroll records and pay employees on regular paydays.

Some violations are not immediately obvious. For example, an employer may improperly calculate overtime by excluding certain bonuses or commissions from the regular rate of pay. In other cases, employees may not realize they are entitled to overtime because they have been incorrectly labeled as "exempt" from overtime protections.

If you suspect wage theft, it is important to gather documentation such as pay stubs, time records, employment agreements, and written communications about pay policies. Wage claims are subject to time limits, so acting promptly can help preserve your right to recover unpaid compensation.

Workplace Discrimination Is Not Always Obvious

Discrimination in the workplace does not always take the form of openly hostile comments or blatant refusals to hire someone based on a protected characteristic. It can be subtle, systemic, or disguised as neutral business decisions that disproportionately affect certain employees.

Federal law prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, disability, and age for individuals who are 40 or older. Maryland law provides similar protections. Discrimination may appear in hiring, promotions, compensation, discipline, or termination decisions. It may also take the form of a hostile work environment created by repeated offensive conduct.

In many cases, employees must first file a charge with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) before filing a lawsuit in court. These agencies investigate complaints and may attempt mediation or issue a right-to-sue notice. Filing with the appropriate agency within the required deadline is a critical step in preserving your claim.

Recognizing patterns of unequal treatment, documenting incidents, and seeking legal advice early can make a significant difference in how a case unfolds.