State officials in Maryland have approved a $222,000 settlement for employees at the Department of Health who were underpaid for performing additional work beyond their regular duties. The employees were compensated at lower rates under former Governor Larry Hogan’s administration. The settlement, awarded to nine employees by the Board of Public Works, was described as a “wage theft scheme” by the president of AFSCME, the union representing the employees.
In addition to the settlement for the Department of Health employees, the Board of Public Works also approved a $140,000 settlement for a former University of Maryland professor who alleged religious discrimination, a hostile work environment, and unlawful termination. Melissa Landa, who is Jewish and a religious Zionist, filed a lawsuit with the American Center for Law & Justice claiming that she faced discrimination and retaliation from university leadership for her religious beliefs and activities related to Israel.
Landa’s complaint, filed under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, stated that she was unlawfully terminated in 2017 after experiencing hostility and discrimination for her religious beliefs. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission found that there was evidence to suggest that Landa’s termination was a form of retaliation for her complaints about religious discrimination.
Both settlements highlight the importance of fair compensation and protection against discrimination in the workplace. The Maryland state government’s approval of these settlements sends a message that they take these issues seriously and are committed to ensuring that all employees are treated with fairness and respect.
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