paid vacation days being docked

[lookingoutformyself]

I am employed by a Nonprofit (Congregation) in the state of Maryland. I have no official contract although I do have a signed letter of intent. The congregation broke the letter of intent where it clearly states i will have an official contract that i never got.
my direct supervisor is on maternity leave and is not in the loop about everything.
Anyway, I handed in my resignation with 5 weeks notice (she was not on leave yet). The time between my start date and my end date is 11 months. I was supposed to have 80 hours of vacation time. I recently took 2 days (16 hours) of it after i handed in my resignation (i took the time once she was on leave). I have been paid for those days. She is now coming at me and telling me i am being Docked for those days.
I think she is wrong. 1) if i wasnt allowed to take the remainder of my vacation days i should have been notified at the time i handed in my resignation. 2) The other staff that knew about these days should have told me i was not intitled to them before i took them.
Please let me know your thoughs.
Thanks
my last day is next friday June 10.... quick help would be great!

[Sue]

Hi,

It's going to depend on your company policy for accrued vacation. Please visit this site for more information:

http://jobsearchtech.about.com/cs/la...cation_pay.htm

[WLLAtty]

Sue is right, but a little more explanation is needed.

In Maryland, the DLLR (the state dept. of labor, licensing, & regulation) views vacation as "wages" and states that accrued and unused vacation time must be paid out at the time employment ends unless the employer has a policy to the contrary that is clear and well communicated in advance to the employees. See http://www.dllr.state.md.us/labor/wa...usedvacpay.htm

So, if your employer did not have a contrary policy that was clearly communicated (or had no policy at all), you are owed pay for your vacation days.

Although your last day has passed, you can still get paid for your vacation days.

You can hire an attorney to deal with your employer, but a cheaper way is just to contact the DLLR -- they will handle it for you at no charge. See http://www.dllr.state.md.us/labor/wa...wpremedies.htm

Hope this helps.

Cynthia

*note: this information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.*