For many individuals in college, the first step to securing employment following graduation is to get an internship while still in school. While in many cases these positions are unpaid, the experience can be priceless. Unfortunately, some interns get more than they bargain for when they face harassment or discrimination in the workplace. While paid employees have legal protections that prohibit that type of behavior, until recently, interns did not. Because of the lack of those protections, any harassment or discrimination claims brought by interns were thrown out of court.
This past March a bill was passed that changed that. That law—which went into effect earlier this month—provides interns protection from the following types of harassment or discrimination:
- Age
- Religion
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
As a result of the change, interns who believe they are the victim of workplace harassment or discrimination can now either go to their employer’s human resources department, or, in the alternative, file a complaint with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights.
Interestingly, the University of Maryland Student Government Association took steps to get this bill passed. It testified in front of, and lobbied the state legislature. The SGA president indicated the passage of the bill was important because it is possible that 99 percent of UMD interns will be interning for businesses in the state. He characterized it as “one of the crowing achievements of the Student Government Association.”
As a result of the recent change in law businesses in Maryland will need to be prepared to handle harassment and discrimination complaints brought by interns. This could mean that handbooks and company policies will need to be rewritten. If companies have not already done so, an employment lawyer could be of assistance with this matter.