Maryland
Overview
Please review the information below as well as the information on the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity page and then return to the workplace harassment prevention course tab.
Harassment and discrimination based on a protected characteristic are prohibited under both federal and state law. The federal government and most state governments have agencies that help employers and employees understand these legal requirements and ensure compliance with the laws.
Protected Characteristics
Harassment or discrimination based on any characteristic set forth below is prohibited under state law in Maryland.
Maryland
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race
(including traits associated with race such as hair texture, afro hairstyles, and protective hairstyles such as braids, twists, and locks) -
color
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national origin
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ancestry
military status
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sex
(including pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions) -
gender identity or expression
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sexual orientation
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age
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disability
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genetic information
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marital status
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religion
(including all aspects of religious observances, practice, and belief) -
refusal to submit to or make available the results of a genetic test
Applicable Laws
Maryland
The primary state law prohibiting employment discrimination, including harassment, is the Maryland Fair Employment Practices Act.
Filing a Claim in Maryland
An employment discrimination or harassment claim may be filed with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights, and/or the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, depending on the employer’s size and the protected characteristic on which the claim is based. More information on federal law prohibiting employment discrimination and harassment is available on the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity page.
Retaliation Prohibited
Employer retaliation against an employee who files a discrimination or harassment complaint or is involved in the complaint process is unlawful.
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only.
It does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice.