Are employers prohibited from retaliating against employees for filing a discrimination claim?
Yes, employers in the state of Maryland are prohibited from retaliating against employees for filing a discrimination claim. This includes any form of discrimination that is prohibited under the Maryland Fair Employment Practices Act (FEPA). It is illegal for an employer to do anything to a worker, such as demotion, termination of employment, or even verbal or physical abuse, in response to the worker’s filing a discrimination claim. Furthermore, it is also illegal for an employer to threaten or harass a worker in order to prevent them from filing a discrimination claim. Under the FEPA, a worker may file a claim with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights if they believe they have been discriminated against on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, mental or physical disability, marital status, or sexual orientation. The Commission will investigate the complaint and, if it finds that a violation occurred, the employer may be subject to a civil penalty. In addition, if an employee can prove that they were retaliated against for filing a discrimination claim, they may be entitled to financial damages as well as other legal remedies. This can include disciplinary action against the employer, payment of back pay, reinstatement of the employee, and/or payment of attorney’s fees. It is important to note that employers are also required to provide a safe, healthy work environment for all of their employees, free of discrimination or harassment. This includes anti-discrimination and anti-retaliation policies which should be clearly posted in the workplace. Employees who feel that their rights have been violated should report it to the appropriate authorities right away.
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