Are employers obligated to provide job protection for employees on maternity leave?

Yes, employers in Maryland are obligated to provide job protection for employees on maternity leave. According to the Maryland Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), employers must provide up to 12 weeks of job-protected unpaid leave for employees who need to take care of a new baby or a family member with a serious health condition. The employee on leave must be given the right to return to their same job or an equivalent job with the same pay, benefits, and other job conditions. Additionally, the Maryland Fair Employment Practices Act (FEPA) requires employers to provide job protection to employees on maternity leave. The law states that employers are legally prohibited from discriminating against employees based on their pregnancy or any other protected characteristic. This means employers cannot punish pregnant employees by denying them promotions or privileges available to other employees. If an employer does not provide job protection for an employee on maternity leave they may be subject to legal action. Employees who believe they have been discriminated against can file a complaint with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights. If the complaint is found to be legitimate, the employee may be awarded damages.

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