The Maryland Guide to Wage Payment and Employment Standards

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This booklet is a publication of the Maryland Division of Labor and Industry, Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.

The Guide is meant to be used by employees and employers as a general reference source on wages and employment in Maryland. The information contained within identifies and discusses many fundamental elements of the Maryland law, and attempts to address many of the most often asked questions. This booklet is not exhaustive, however, and should not be cited as legal authority or used as a substitute for legal advice.

Table of Contents for web version of this publication
I. Maryland Wage Laws - In General
II. Remedies for Unpaid Wages
	* Note on Jurisdiction
III. Work Issues
	A. What is "Work"?
	B. Change of Work Hours: An Employer's Right
	C. Employee or Independent Contractor?
		* Factors in Making the Distinction Between an Employee and an Independent Contractor
		* Case Studies
IV. Wages and Compensation
	A. What is a "Wage"?
	B. Frequency of Pay
	C. Wage Payment at Termination: When Final Paycheck Due
	D. Wages Paid On Time
	E. Deductions from Wages
	F. Deductions for Unemployment and Workers' Compensation
	G. Unused Vacation at Termination -- Is It Payable?
	H. Unused Sick Leave at Termination -- Is It Payable?
	I. Flexible Leave Act
	J. Holidays and Holiday Pay: No Entitlement
	K. Temporary Closures, Snow Days, Etc.: Not Compensable
	L. Change of Pay: In the Employer's Discretion
	M. Severance Pay
	N. Uniforms: Passing On the Cost
	O. Compensable Time: For What Time Must An Employee Be Paid?
	P. Commuting to Work: Non-Compensable
	Q. Notice of Termination: Payment of Wages During Notice Period
	R. Tipped Employees: Payment of Less than Minimum Wage
	S. Trainings and Meetings: Compensable Time
	T. Direct Deposit of Wages: Voluntary
	U. Recordkeeping: An Employer's Responsibility
	V. Holding Wages: "One Pay in the Hole"
	W. Bounced Paychecks
	X. Pay for Lunch and Other Breaks
	Y. Commissions
V. Overtime
	A. In General
	B. Salaried Employees: No Overtime
		1. Executive
		2. Administrative
		3. Professional
	C. Hourly and Non-Executive, Non-Administrative and Non-Professional Employees: May Receive Overtime
	D. Independent Contractors
	E. Employers Not Required to Pay Overtime Under Maryland Law
	F. Employees Not Eligible for Overtime Under Maryland Law
VI. Employer Discretion in the Workplace: Employment-At-Will
	A. Employment At-Will: Termination of Employment
	B. Displaced Workers: Reductions in Force
	C. Setting the Terms of Employment
	D. Breaks, Benefits and Days Off
	E. Drug Tests
VII. Where to Find Help
VIII. Labor and Employment Publications in Maryland

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Please direct any questions about the Division of Labor and Industry to dli@dllr.state.md.us.
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