At Lebau & Neuworth, we stand with Maryland workers who face unfair treatment at work. If your employer is violating labor laws—whether it’s unpaid wages, unsafe conditions, or illegal discrimination—you don’t have to stay silent. Many people don’t realize that reporting workplace violations is a protected action under federal and state law. This blog breaks down what to expect and how to take the right steps to hold your employer accountable.
Before taking action, it’s important to understand what types of behavior may violate labor laws. If you’re dealing with any of the following, it may be time to file a complaint:
These issues often fall under the authority of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), or the Maryland Department of Labor.
Taking action can feel overwhelming, but breaking it into steps can help. Here’s a general guide for Maryland workers thinking about filing a report.
Not every violation is done with bad intent. Sometimes supervisors or HR aren’t even aware of what’s going wrong. If you feel safe doing so, consider starting by raising your concerns internally. It might resolve the issue without needing to escalate further.
But if nothing changes—or you’re met with resistance—it’s time to move forward.
Whether or not you’ve spoken up yet, you should begin writing things down:
This kind of detailed record will be important if you decide to move forward with a complaint or legal action.
Different problems go to different places. For example:
Talking to an employment lawyer can help you figure out where your report should go.
In most cases, you can file a complaint online, by phone, or in person. Most federal and Maryland agencies also allow you to file anonymously—though there may be limits on how deeply they can investigate without your identity.
Here are a few ways Maryland employees commonly report workplace issues:
If you’re unsure about where to file or what to include, a lawyer can guide you through the process and help avoid mistakes.
You have the legal right to report workplace violations. But that doesn’t mean every employer will respect that.
Retaliation is illegal. It can show up in subtle or direct ways, including:
If this starts happening, don’t wait—document everything and speak to an employment attorney immediately.
Yes. In many cases, especially with OSHA and the Wage and Hour Division, you can submit your complaint without sharing your name. Just know that anonymous reports may not always lead to full investigations if there’s not enough detail.
If you’re worried about retaliation or job security, an attorney can often help you file while protecting your privacy.
Many labor law complaints must be filed within a specific time frame. For example:
Waiting too long can mean losing your right to take legal action.
If you're considering filing a report—or already have—Lebau & Neuworth can help protect your rights. Our team has decades of experience representing employees throughout Maryland and the DC Metro Area. We know how to deal with employers who break the law, and we’ll stand by your side every step of the way.
Don’t try to handle this alone. Contact Lebau & Neuworth today for a confidential consultation and take the first step toward workplace justice.
