Many workers now have the option of working from home or have been told that they have to work from home because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
If you are working from home in Maryland, your employer is required to reimburse you for expenses you incur directly in connection with your job. This can include mileage reimbursement, telephone and internet usage, as these fall within the definition of a "wage," according to the complaint form from the Maryland Department of Labor.
In addition, under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), no employer can require an employee to pay for the employer’s business expenses if doing so would reduce the employee’s earnings below the required minimum wage. The FLSA therefore requires all employers to reimburse their employees for any business expenses incurred that would bring their pay below the minimum wage.
Employees must be on alert to safeguard their job protections at this difficult time. We at Lebau & Neuworth are available to listen to you and see if we can protect your job rights, including those under all laws pertaining to the Coronavirus pandemic. For more information, contact us (410) 296-3030 or lebauneuworth.com/contact-us.
