Filing a Complaint
Employees in or applicants to the Judicial Branch who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint in accordance with the Judicial Branch’s Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation.
- Employees of (or applicants to) a Clerk of Court, the District Court, an appellate court, the AOC and other judicial entities except for Circuit Courts should file complaints with the Office of Legal Affairs and Fair Practices.
- Employees of (or applicants to) Circuit Courts (under the authority of an Administrative Judge) should file such complaints with their supervisor, manager, EEO Coordinator, or with the Administrative Judge.
The Office of Legal Affairs and Fair Practices is responsible for conducting and assisting investigations of alleged discrimination and harassment complaints. Additionally, the office is a resource for employees and applicants who have questions about how to file complaints and what types of complaints may be referred to other offices.
Complaints should be submitted as soon as possible after the alleged discrimination has occurred in order to permit prompt and equitable resolution. In situations that require immediate action because of safety or other concerns, the Judiciary may take any necessary action in order to facilitate the investigation. The goal of the Office of Legal Affairs and Fair Practices is to complete all investigations as thoroughly and expeditiously as possible.
Complaint Procedures
If you have a complaint, please complete a Complaint of Discrimination/Harassment/Retaliation form. It may also help to review the Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation. Complaints should be submitted as soon as possible after the alleged discrimination has occurred in order to permit prompt and equitable resolution.
Complaints should include:
- Complainant’s Name (the individual making the complaint);
- Complainant’s Location;
- Complainant’s Department/Unit;
- Respondent’s Name (the individual(s) against whom the complaint is made);
- Respondent’s Location;
- Respondent’s Department/Unit;
- A Statement of Facts to include:
- Basis for the alleged discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation;
- Date(s) of occurrence(s);
- Date(s) of first knowledge of the occurrence(s);
- Nature of Complaint (Specific and definite issues of fact and the factors you believe support the complaint);
- Name of witnesses (if applicable);
- Resolution sought;
- Representative (if applicable).
The form should be signed and dated by the Complainant.
The first steps of an investigation typically include:
- A telephone intake call with the complainant
- An in-person interview with the complainant
- Notifications to the person(s) named in the complaint (respondent)
Other common steps in an investigation:
- Interviewing witnesses, including the respondent
- Collecting documentation
- Seeking any additional information necessary to determine whether or not there has been a violation of the Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation.
All employees within the Judicial Branch are expected to cooperate fully with an investigation conducted under this policy or in response to any complaint or charge filed with a state or federal agency enforcing any equal employment opportunity law. Employees are also expected to provide complete and accurate information, requested documents, and any other information necessary to conduct a full investigation of the complaint.
The Office of Legal Affairs and Fair Practices may assist in the informal resolution of a complaint if possible. The office may also recommend remedial actions even if conduct does not violate the law or the Judicial Branch policy. The Office of Legal Affairs and Fair Practices does not take disciplinary actions on its own but may recommend remedial or disciplinary action under other relevant Judiciary policies. Investigators will typically prepare a written report of the investigation and findings. The Fair Practices Officer, the County Administrative Judge, or a designee will inform the complainant and respondent of the conclusion of the investigation.
Employees also have the right to file complaints with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) directly at any time during an investigation. Both Commissions are external to the Maryland Judicial Branch and have filing deadlines which are set by state and federal law and which are not affected by internal investigations.
It is against the policies of the Judicial Branch to take retaliatory action against an employee or applicant for employment because he or she opposed an unlawful employment practice, filed a complaint, participated in any way in an investigation of an alleged unlawful employment practice, requested an accommodation, or otherwise sought the protections or entitlements of any discrimination or harassment law. It is a violation of Judicial Branch policies for anyone to knowingly make false accusations of discrimination or harassment. Failure to prove a claim is not equivalent to a false allegation.