Where to Find Help - The Maryland Guide to Wage Payment and Employment Standards

Both employees and employers may call the Employment Standards Service at 410-767-2357 with any questions relating to the Maryland wage laws. Other employment related questions will be answered if possible, or referred to the appropriate authority.

Listed below is a quick reference guide to sources of information on various subject areas involving employment.

• Employment Discrimination -- Maryland Commission on Civil Rights, 410-767-8600 or 800-637-MCHR, or Equal Employment Opportunity Commission at 410-962-3932.
   
• Minimum Wage and Overtime -- U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, 410-962-6211.
   
• Retirement Benefits (including 401(k) and ERISA) -- U.S. Department of Labor, Pension Welfare Benefits Administration, 866-444-3272, TTY 877-889-5627.
   
• Health Care Benefits After Termination of Employment (COBRA) -- U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, 1-866-444-3272. If less than 20 employees, Maryland Insurance Administration, 410-468-2000.
   
• State Scaled or "Prevailing" Wage (State funded construction contract wage questions) -- Maryland Division of Labor and Industry, Prevailing Wage Unit, 410-767-2342.
   
• Federal Scaled or "Prevailing" Wage (Federally funded construction contract wage questions under the Davis-Bacon Act) -- U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, 410-962-4984.
   
• Federal Service Contracts (Federally funded non-construction contract wage questions under the Federal Service Contract Act) -- U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, 410-962-6211.
   
• Unemployment Insurance Benefits -- 
  Claimants:  calling from Baltimore area - 410-949-0022, For Maryland Relay, call 711;
  calling from Maryland but outside the Baltimore area - 800-827-4839
  Employers: 410-949-0033
   
• Workers' Compensation (for work related injuries and illnesses) -- Maryland Workers' Compensation Commission, 410-864-5100, 800-492-0479, 410-767-0900.
  [Note: It is the independent responsibility of an injured worker to obtain a workers compensation claim form and file it within a certain time after injury. Employers are not required to provide this service to employees. It is the responsibility of employers to file a First Report of Injury. This is different than an employee's claim for workers compensation].
   
• Immigration Verification for Employment, I-9 Requirements -- U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, 410-962-6211, or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, 800-357-2099. To file a complaint of national origin discrimination, citizenship discrimination or document abuse in filling out the I-9 or when seeking employment, U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Special Counsel, 800-255-7688.
   
• Unions and Collective Bargaining Agreements -- National Labor Relations Board, 410-962-2822.
   
• Severance Pay -- U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, 866-444-3272.
   
• Occupational Safety and Health -- Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH), 410-527-4499.
   
• Displaced Workers and Reductions in Force (WARN Act) -- Maryland Dislocated Workers Unit, 410-767-2833.
   
• Child Labor -- Maryland Division of Labor and Industry, 410-767-2357.
   
• Family and Medical Leave -- U.S. Department of Labor, 800-959-3652 or 202-219-8727.