Maryland Unpaid Wages Lawyer
Has your employer deprived you of wages that you rightfully earned? If so, you can hold them accountable by filing an official complaint. Contact an unpaid wages attorney in Maryland to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Both state and federal governments enforce laws on the payment of wages for employees. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is the primary federal statute that outlines minimum wage and overtime policies. Most state and local governments have laws that closely follow the FLSA, but Maryland’s wage laws differ in some ways.
If your employer refuses to pay you the wages you’re owed, you can file a federal or state claim, depending on which law your employer has violated. A Maryland unpaid wages lawyer from Snider & Associates, LLC can guide you through the claims process and escalate your case to a lawsuit when appropriate. You can feel confident taking legal action when our team is by your side.
Minimum Wage and Overtime Laws in Maryland
The minimum wage in Maryland is currently $10.10 per hour. Maryland enacted a law in 2019 that will gradually increase the state’s minimum wage to $15 per hour over the next six years. The gradual increase will vary based on company size.
In January 2020, all employees in Maryland will see an increase in the minimum wage to $11 per hour. In January 2021, companies with at least fifteen employees will raise their minimum wage to $11.75 per hour, and companies with fewer than fifteen employees will raise their minimum wage to $11.60 per hour. Employees of smaller companies will see a slightly slower increase in wages.
Both federal law and Maryland’s law require employers to pay overtime-eligible employees one- and one-half times their standard pay rate for any hours worked over forty hours in a single workweek. Maryland law varies from federal law, because Maryland employers can require employees to work overtime.
Some employees in Maryland are exempt from the mandatory overtime policy. These employees include:
- Bowling alley employees
- Movie theater employees
- Hotel employees
- Gas station employees
- Registered nurses, unless an emergency or other necessary circumstance arises
Maryland’s Unpaid Wages Claims Process
If you’re an overtime-eligible employee and your employer hasn’t paid you for your overtime hours, you can file a claim for unpaid wages. You may also file a claim if your employer isn’t paying you the correct minimum wage. You can file your claim through Maryland’s Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation. Once you file your claim, the Department will investigate your case.
Once an investigation is complete, you may receive back pay from your employer. If you don’t receive the outcome you hoped for, you may file a private lawsuit against your employer for back pay and liquidated damages. An unpaid wages lawyer in Maryland can assess your situation and help you make an appropriate decision.
Reach Out to a Maryland Unpaid Wages Attorney
It can feel frustrating and demeaning for your employer to withhold your wages. You deserve payment for the time and effort you put in at work and at Snider & Associates, LLC we’ll fight on your behalf. To speak with a Maryland unpaid wages lawyer from our team, call 410-653-9060 or fill out the contact form below to set up a consultation.