Employment law is a broad category of laws—statutes, case law (court opinions), rules, and regulations—that govern the relationship between an employer and an employee. Employment law includes state laws that only apply to employer-employee relationships in a given state, and federal laws that apply to employer-employee relationships in all states.

In Maryland, employment law encompasses a variety of statutes and regulations that dictate the relationship between employers and employees. This includes laws on minimum wage, which as of 2023 is $12.50 per hour for companies with 15 or more employees and $12.20 for smaller companies, with annual increases planned until it reaches $15.00 per hour. Maryland also has laws regarding overtime pay, safe working conditions, and non-discrimination in the workplace. The Maryland Healthy Working Families Act requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide paid sick leave. Additionally, Maryland adheres to federal employment laws such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which sets standards for minimum wage and overtime; the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), which ensures safe working conditions; the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities; and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which allows eligible employees to take unpaid, job-protected leave for family and medical reasons. Employers and employees in Maryland must navigate both state-specific regulations and applicable federal laws to ensure compliance with employment standards.