The goal of the Fair Practices and Equal Employment Opportunity unit is to ensure fair practices and equal employment opportunity by prohibiting unfair and discriminatory employment practices on any illegal basis. Because of its importance, Secretary DeVore, in one of his first acts as Secretary, elevated this unit to the Office of the Secretary. Under Maryland State Law, in Title 5, State Personnel and Pensions Article, Annotated Code of Maryland §5-208, Title 17, Subtitle.04 and Maryland Executive Order 01.01.2007.09, Code of Fair Employment Practices, the unit must ensure that all personnel actions concerning any employee or applicant will be taken on the basis of merit and fitness, without regard to age, race, sex or creed, and without regard to political affiliation, belief or opinion.
The Fair Practices and Equal Employment Opportunity unit develops and implements policies that promote equal employment opportunities and workforce diversification for women, minorities and persons with disabilities. The unit provides employees with a means to file a complaint for discrimination or other unfair employment practice without fear of harassment or retaliation, as well as provisions for informally resolving complaints whenever possible.
Any employee or applicant for employment who believes that he or she has experienced discrimination, has a right to file a formal complaint with State or Federal agencies listed below. A person does not give up this right when he or she files a complaint with the Office of Fair Practices. The following State and Federal agencies enforce laws related to discrimination:
Maryland Commission on Human Relations (MCHR)
6 St. Paul Street, 9th Floor
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Phone: 410-767-8600
United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
10 South Howard Street, 3rd Floor
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Phone: 410-962-3932
The statutory time periods for the timely filing of charges of discrimination (measured from the occurrence of discriminatory action):
- State Fair Practices Offices- within 30 days after first knowledge or reasonably knowing (SPPA§5-211 (b))
- Maryland Commission on Human Relations- Six (6) months (State Government Article Title 20, Annotated Code of Maryland)
- United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission- 300 days- unless a proceeding involving same acts is instituted first before the Maryland Commission on Human Relations
For additional information on complaint filing, accommodations, appeals, and more, please contact the Office of the Statewide Equal Employment Opportunity Coordinator (OSEEOC).
As part of the review of its culturally competent services, an additional goal of the Fair Practices and Equal Employment Opportunity unit is to develop policies and data that enable DJS and staff to work effectively in cross-cultural situations. As a result, the unit implements the policy for the provisions of language services for DJS staff, youth and families. This policy reduces language barriers that can preclude meaningful access to services to youth and parents of youth under its jurisdiction with limited English proficiency.
The following is a list of some of this unit's responsibilities:
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Assists managers and employees with fair practices and discrimination issues;
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Accepts discrimination, sexual harassment, harassment, unfair management practices and the creation of a hostile work environment complaints from employees;
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Makes recommendations to managers regarding complaints;
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Responds on behalf of DJS to enforcement commissions related to discrimination complaints;
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Recommends and approves "reasonable accommodations" requests for employees with disabilities;
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Continues to ensure compliance with U.S. Department of Justice Settlement Agreement (US DOJ SA) related to youth with hearing impairments;
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Assists staff with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) and language tasks, such as, on-site interpretations, telephonic interpretations, and written translations;
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Conducts training on workplace issues
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Fair Practices/Equal Employment Opportunity/American with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Fair Practices and Equal Employment Opportunity are related concepts that provide for each DJS employee to work and to advance in an environment based on individual merit, skills, abilities and potential. Work related actions are to be free of discrimination based on race, sex, including pregnancy and sexual harassment, age, marital status, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, physical and mental disabilities.
Accessibility for Youth with Hearing Impairments
The Secretary of the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) establishes this Accessibility for Youth with Hearing Impairments Policy Directive to set forth a standard process that requires DJS programs and services to provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services for youth with hearing impairments in DJS facilities.
Limited English Proficiency (LEP)
A Limited English Proficient person is defined as an individual who cannot speak, read, write or understand the English language at a level that permits them to interact effectively with health and social service agencies. Because of these language differences and their inability to speak or understand English, LEP persons are often excluded from programs, experience delays or denials of services, or receive care and services based on inaccurate or incomplete information. The above link provides LEP data, procedures and processes within DJS to ensure our clients receive equal and meaningful access to all programs and services.
Office of Fair Practices Contact Information
120 West Fayette Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Charles A. Proctor,
Acting Director, Office of Fair Practices/EEO/ADA
410-230-3282
Keneithia J. Taylor
Equal Employment Opportunity Officer/LEP Specialist/ADA Specialist
410-230-3187
Karen Nicholson-Smith
Office Professional
410-230-3280
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