Skip to Content Accessibility Information

Non-Discrimination Policy Statement - Office of Fair Practices

  1. PURPOSE
  2. The purpose of this Policy Statement is to communicate the position of the Maryland Department of Labor with regard to discrimination in employment and in the delivery, provision of and access to any Maryland Department of Labor service, program, resource or opportunity. This policy prohibits all forms of unlawful discrimination, including sexual harassment, within the Maryland Department of Labor.

  3. POLICY
    1. All programs, policies, procedures and activities conducted by and through this Department, its employees, contractors and subcontractors shall be conducted without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, citizenship (where applicable), genetic information/testing, marital status, mental or physical disability, political affiliation, belief or opinion (where applicable), national origin, race, religious affiliation, belief or opinion, sex, (except where age, sex, or disability involves a bonafide occupational qualification), sexual orientation (where applicable) or status as a participant in Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) funded programs (where applicable).
    2. The Office of Fair Practices (OFP) will review and monitor various employment matters and personnel activities (such as new hires, job assignments, reclassifications, transfers, promotions, demotions, terminations and requests for accommodations) to ensure the equitable consideration of all qualified applicants and requests, and where necessary, the Department will initiate appropriate corrective measures.
    3. Any Maryland Department of Labor employee who is aware of or who is subject to discrimination through policy, practice or employee action of this Department should notify the appropriate supervisor, Equal Opportunity Designee or Liaison or the Office of Fair Practices.
    4. The Department will take swift and appropriate disciplinary action(s), up to and including termination, against any employee found to have discriminated or retaliated against, harassed or intimidated another employee, applicant for employment, beneficiary or other client. The Department will also take appropriate disciplinary action(s) against any employee found to have interfered in any way with the creation and maintenance of a fair working environment.
    5. Any Maryland Department of Labor employee, applicant for employment, beneficiary or other client who believes that he/she has been subjected to unlawful discrimination prohibited by this policy or by law may file a complaint of discrimination with appropriate State and Federal enforcement agencies and the Department’s Office of Fair Practices and/or may file a grievance with the Office of Human Resources. Retaliation against or interference with individuals filing a complaint or participating in an investigation is also strictly prohibited.  Maryland Department of Labor's procedures for investigating complaints alleging unlawful discrimination may be found on the OFP web page and on the Maryland Department of Labor Intranet on the Policies and Forms page. Copies may also be obtained from the Office of Fair Practices.
  1. RESPONSIBILITY
    1. Administrators and managers shall disseminate this policy to all persons under their authority and shall conspicuously post copies in offices and client, claimant and participant waiting areas.
    2. Management at every level will be held accountable for: upholding and carrying out the provisions of this policy; for maintaining a work atmosphere free of discrimination; and for utilizing every opportunity to achieve Maryland Department of Labor’s affirmative action objectives.
    3. The Office of Fair Practices has the primary responsibility for assuring compliance with this and all Maryland Department of Labor policies relating to equal opportunity, affirmative action and non-discrimination. Call any staff member for assistance.

Maryland Department of Labor
Office of Fair Practices (OFP)

1100 North Eutaw Street, Room 306
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Phone: 410-230-6319
Fax: 410-225-3282
Maryland Relay 7-1-1
E-mail: dlofp-labor@maryland.gov