The Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Fair Practices

Program Description

The Comptroller of Maryland’s Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Fair Practices administers the agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Fair Practices, Americans with Disabilities Act, Bullying Complaints (with Title VII basis), Cultural Awareness Programs, and related education and training programs.

The Office of EEO and Fair Practices is responsible for monitoring and evaluating activities, policies and practices of the Comptroller of Maryland (COM) to ensure compliance with State and Federal employment provisions and the Governor's Executive Order on Fair Employment Practices. The team ensures that COM employees understand their rights and responsibilities under the State’s EEO policies and facilitates training on ADA, Sexual Harassment, diversity, and EEO laws. The Office’s duties also include monitoring discrimination complaints against the agency filed with the U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights, and other external enforcement agencies. And, lastly, responsibilities include preparing and distributing reports in compliance with other State and federal requirements.

Mission Statement

The Office of EEO and Fair Practices maintains a continuum of service that respects, responds, and provides results deserving of all members of a diverse workforce through fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and inclusion, and by utilizing leading-edge technology that safeguards the information with which we are entrusted.

Contacts

Comptroller of Maryland
80 Calvert St
Annapolis, MD 21401

Dr. Elaine McNeil, Director, EEO and Fair Practices Operations
EMcNeil@MarylandTaxes.gov
410-260-6630

Dr. Kai Boggess-de Bruin, Chief Equity & Transformation Officer
KBoggess-deBruin@MarylandTaxes.gov
410-260-7398

To File a Complaint or Request an Accommodation: FairPractices@MarylandTaxes.gov

Office of The Statewide Equal Employment Opportunity Coordinator

Commitment to an Environment Free of Discrimination

The Comptroller of Maryland is committed to complying with all applicable federal and state laws prohibiting employment discrimination and to provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, gender identity and expression, genetic information, marital status, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religious affiliation (belief or opinion), sex, sexual orientation or any other protected status. Participation in a complaint process is protected from retaliation under all circumstances, and the Comptroller of Maryland complies with all applicable federal and state laws prohibiting retaliation against a person because the person complained about discrimination, filed a charge of discrimination, or participated in an employment discrimination investigation or lawsuit.

Fair Practices Program

The Fair Practices Program is designed to promote equal opportunity, fairness, and non-discrimination within the COM’s operations, services, and employment practices. This program ensures compliance with federal, state, and agency-specific civil rights laws and policies, fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. The program oversees equal employment opportunity (EEO), discrimination complaint investigations, reasonable accommodations, and diversity and inclusion initiatives. By providing education, monitoring practices, and addressing complaints, the Fair Practices Program helps prevent bias and supports a culture of accountability and equity.

Enforcement of Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act 2008

The agency is committed to full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA), ensuring equal opportunity, accessibility, and non-discrimination for individuals with disabilities. It provides reasonable accommodations through a good-faith interactive process and prohibits retaliation against those who seek accommodations or file complaints.

To request an ADA accommodation please email your request to FairPractices@MarylandTaxes.gov.

Equal Employment Opportunity Program

The Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Program is dedicated to ensuring that all individuals have equal access to employment opportunities, free from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or other protected categories. This program promotes a workplace culture rooted in fairness, respect, and inclusion by enforcing civil rights laws and agency policies. The program provides education, training, and resources to prevent discrimination and harassment, in any and all forms, while also offering procedures for filing and resolving complaints. Through proactive initiatives and case management, the EEO Program works to eliminate barriers to employment and advancement with the ultimate goal to create a diverse, equitable, and supportive environment where all employees can thrive.

Sexual Harassment Prevention

The Comptroller of Maryland is fully committed to ensuring that all employees work in environments that are conducive to the performance of their duties and free from sexual harassment, intimidation or coercion of any form. Similarly, customers seeking services from the Comptroller should be assured that interactions with State employees are free from sexual harassment, intimidation or coercion of any form.

Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

How to File a Complaint

The Comptroller encourages individuals who have concerns regarding unfair and/or unlawful treatment inquiries or complaints to first reach out to the Office of EEO and Fair Practices for an informal discussion. Other related inquiries may include failure to accommodate individuals with disabilities, harassment, bullying, and failure to provide accommodations to individuals with Limited English Proficiency. While the informal process is designed to facilitate a sincere and prompt resolution, it is not a substitution for a filed complaint of discrimination; individuals opting to initiate a formal complaint may proceed directly to the formal process if preferred. Participants may also choose to transition from the informal process to the formal complaint process at any time.

For an Informal Discussion: Contact the Office of EEO and Fair Practices via email,
FairPractices@MarylandTaxes.gov.

To File a Formal Complaint of Unfair and/or Unlawful Treatment: See the information below regarding the complaint procedures and submit your complaint to
FairPractices@MarylandTaxes.gov.

Complaint Filing Process and Procedures

Customers or External Constituents

Customers, taxpayers, vendors, or other individual outside the agency who believe they were subject to unfair or discriminatory treatment may file a written complaint (PDF) with the Office of EEO and Fair Practices. In general, the steps and provisions listed below—timelines and calendar days, appeals, representation, and mediation—apply to both complaints filed by employees or job applicants, as well as those filed by external parties. However, external complaints may follow some different requirements, which can be discussed upon filing with a member of the Office.

Employees and Applicants

Procedures

Steps in Procedures	Timeline
An applicant or employee may file a written complaint (PDF) with the appropriate head of the principal unit within 1 year after the complainant knew, or reasonably should have known, of the alleged violation of the State's Fair Employment Practices Policy (SPP 5-211).	1 Year
A complaint filed under SPP Title 5-211 (A) (2) alleging harassment in violation of § 20–606(a)(5) of the State Government Article must be filed within two years after the alleged violation that is the basis for the complaint. This includes, but is not limited to, sexual harassment complaints and bullying/harassment complaints that include a protected status basis.	2 Years
After receiving the complaint, the agency Equal Employment Opportunity Officer shall investigate and recommend a proposed decision to the head of the principal unit. The head of the principal unit shall issue a written decision to the complainant and may grant any appropriate relief. Please note: The time period may be extended up to an additional 30 days if the applicant or employee who filed the complaint provides written authorization to the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer investigating the complaint. Therefore, the investigation should not exceed 90 days.	60 Days
The complainant may appeal, in writing, to the Department of Budget and Management, Office of the Statewide Equal Employment Opportunity Coordinator, Room 607, 301 West Preston Street, Baltimore, MD 21201.	10 Days
After receiving the appeal, the Statewide Equal Employment Opportunity Coordinator shall review the complaint and the agency decision and conduct any necessary investigation. The Office of the Statewide Equal Employment Opportunity Coordinator shall issue the final decision, which may be to grant the relief requested by the complainant or dismiss the complaint.	30 Days

Miscellaneous Provisions:

This procedure applies to employees and applicants for positions in the Skilled, Professional and Management Services, or comparable positions in independent personnel systems.
Employees in the State Personnel Management System may elect to pursue an allegation of employment discrimination under either the above complaint procedure or the grievance procedure in State Personnel and Pensions, Title 12.
Days refer to calendar days.
Failure of any agency to respond to a complaint within the established timelines is considered a denial from which an appeal may be made.
A complainant may be represented during the complaint process by any person the complainant chooses.
The complainant and/or respondent may recommend mediation during any step in the procedures.

Source: State Personnel & Pensions Article, Title 5, Subtitle 2

Formal Complaints with External Agencies

Complainants may be submitted to the following external agencies:

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
10 South Howard Street, 3rd Floor
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
410-962-3932
www.eeoc.gov

Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR)
6 St. Paul Street, 9th Floor
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
www.mccr.maryland.gov