En Espaņol
E-Mail Address: ess@dllr.state.md.us
If you are an employee whose wages have been illegally withheld, you have three options under the Maryland Wage
Payment and Collection Law (you may only choose one):
- The Employment Standards Service (ESS), at (410) 767-2357 Fax (410) 333-7303 E-mail Address:
ess@dllr.state.md.us.
The Maryland Wage Guide to Wage Payment and Employment Standards, can provide information on wages and
employment rights under Maryland law. On receipt of a proper claim for unpaid wages, ESS will conduct an
independent investigation and work to collect any pay which is determined due. This may include taking the
employer to court if the matter cannot be informally settled.
For those wishing to file a claim for unpaid wages, and for quickest results, it is suggested that a CERTIFIED
letter RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, be sent to the employer stating the amount of money owed, identifying the hours
and days or commissions this money represents, and demanding payment by a specific deadline (such as 10
days from receipt of the certified letter). It may help collection on the claim later to send the letter Certified
Mail, as suggested, so as to receive back the green receipt proving the employer signed for and received it. In addition, a copy of this letter should be kept and later provided together with a claim form to the Employment Standards Service if the employer still does not pay.
- An employee may file a lawsuit. Where a court finds that wages were withheld in violation of the Maryland Wage
Payment Law, and not as a result of a bona fide dispute, the court may award damages of up to three times the
amount of the unpaid wage plus attorney fees.
- An employee may file criminal charges. Under certain circumstances, Maryland law imposes criminal penalties
for an employer who deliberately fails to pay the wage of an employee without a valid reason, or provides
employment with the intent not to pay.
*Note on Jurisdiction
Claims for unpaid wages must be brought in the state in which the work was performed. If work was performed in more
than one state, claims may generally be filed in the state in which the employer maintains its business office-that
is, the office where the employee reports to or was hired out of.
The following is a list of phone numbers of wage and hour offices in neighboring states and political subdivisions:
- Virginia - (804) 786-2386
- West Virginia - (304) 558-7890
- Washington, D.C. - (202) 671-1880
- Pennsylvania - (717) 787-4671
- New Jersey - (609) 292-2337
- Delaware - (302) 761-8200
- Baltimore City - (410) 396-4835
Federal, state and local governments are exempt from the provisions of both the Wage Payment and Collection Law
and the Wage and Hour Law, but they must comply with the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.
If your claim involves non payment of overtime pay, you should contact the U.S. Department of Labor at
1-866-4US-WAGE.
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