Employee Rights Blogs

New Maryland Law Better Protects against Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

In the wake of the #MeToo movement, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan signed into law the Maryland Disclosing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Act of 2018, which aims to better protect employees from workplace sexual harassment.

The new Act prohibits employers from requiring employees to enter into any agreement that waives any “substantive or procedural right or remedy” to a future sexual harassment claim.

Pregnant Employees Must be Aware that Discrimination is Everywhere

Lebau & Neuworth recently obtained a favorable determination on behalf of a client who was 7-1/2 months pregnant and fired from a small, family-run, Inner Harbor restaurant and tavern where she waited tables and did some bartending.

Don't Be a Victim in 'Grand Theft Paycheck'

According to a press release recently issued by the Corporate Research Project of Good Jobs First,  and Jobs With Justice Education Fund reports that some of the largest employers have been penalized the most for not paying the wages due to their workers.

Minimum Wage Rates in Maryland & D.C. are About to Go Up

Beginning July 1, 2018, the Maryland minimum wage rate increases from $9.25 per hour of work to $10.10 and in the District of Columbia the minimum wage increases to $13.25 an hour.

Tips, Service Charges, Credit Card Charges, Customer Walk-outs: What Restaurant Workers Need To Know

In the past three months alone, Lebau & Neuworth attorneys have helped more than 25 Maryland-based waiters and waitresses get back wages owed to them by their restaurant employers.

Know the New Tip Pooling Rules for Tipped Employees

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), an employer is permitted to pay a reduced hourly wage to tipped employees, provided they receive enough tips to bring hourly wages to the federal minimum wage.

What Employees Should Know about Room & Board Compensation

Employees should be aware that his or her employer may be allowed to count “the reasonable cost … of furnishing [the] employee with board, lodging, or other facilities” toward the employee’s owed wages.

Lebau & Neuworth Battles Sexual Orientation Discrimination

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, is the federal law that prohibits employment discrimination based on gender, race, national origin and color. Federal courts recently have had to rule on when the ban on gender discrimination encompasses discrimination involving sexual orientation.

Attorney Richard Neuworth Selected for Prominent “Leadership in Law” Recognition

Lebau & Neuworth partner attorney Richard Neuworth has been named to the prestigious “2018 Leadership in Law” roll, which distinguishes select regional attorneys who are “outstanding leaders in the law.”

Telecommuting May Be A Reasonable Accommodation

In Mosby-Meacham v. Memphis Light & Gas, the plaintiff worked as an in-house lawyer for about seven years, became pregnant and unfortunately suffered from a medical condition that, although treatable, put herself and her unborn child at risk. Following doctor orders, she asked to work from home for 10 weeks until the baby was born, but the employer denied her request, claiming that telecommuting from home would not allow her to perform the essential functions of the job.