Treated unfairly at work · employment law
Something at work was wrong, and you know it
The meeting was fifteen minutes long and HR did most of the talking. Or it has been building for months: the comments nobody else seemed to hear, the promotion that went to someone with less experience, the overtime that never showed up on your paycheck. You keep asking whether it was illegal, or just unfair.
Those aren't always the same thing, and you shouldn't have to sort it out alone, or work out which kind of lawyer to call. Tell us what happened, in your own words, and a lawyer at our firm will look at your case and help you understand where it falls.
This may be for you if
- I was fired, and I think the real reason wasn't the one I was given.
- I was harassed or treated differently because of my race, sex, age, disability, religion, pregnancy or another part of who I am.
- Things got worse after I complained, reported something, or took medical or family leave.
- I wasn't paid for all my hours, or I was never paid overtime.
- My employer offered me severance, and I think I may have a claim.
- I was called an independent contractor, but I worked like an employee.
What we do, and what we do not
We do
- A lawyer at our firm looks at your case and tells you straight whether the law may protect what happened to you, and what we can do.
- Employment claims depend heavily on the state, and sometimes the city, where you work. If we take your case and another firm is better placed to lead it day to day, we choose that firm for you, from firms we have vetted for their expertise and track record representing employees where you work.
We do not
- We don't take a case against an employer that is a client of our firm, or that we expect to become one, and we don't contact your employer without your agreement.
- We don't promise any result, including a settlement or getting your job back.
Two firms on your side, for the cost of one
When another firm leads your case, you have two law firms on your side, and it costs you no more than one firm would. The firm leading it day to day is one that represents employees in the state where you work, and it's your first call for questions about the case. Our firm stays responsible for your case with them for as long as it lasts: we check in often, keep our own calendar of its deadlines, and we're who you write to if something doesn't feel right.
You decide whether to go ahead, and nothing happens until you say yes.
How it works, step by stepHow fees work, and how they are shared
Problems we often hear about
- Fired unfairly
Let go for a reason you believe was illegal, or pushed out until you had to quit.
- Unpaid wages and overtime
Hours you were not paid for, overtime you never received, or tips and final pay that were withheld.
What helps to have ready
- Your employer's name, where you worked, and your job title.
- Your start date and, if it has ended, the date and manner your job ended.
- A short timeline of what happened, including any complaints you made and to whom.
- Offer letters, performance reviews, and any termination or severance paperwork you were given.
- Pay stubs and your own record of the hours you worked.
- Names of coworkers who saw what happened or were treated the same way.
- Work timeline and records organizer
A printable page to put your job history, the events that matter and your documents in order.
- Preparing to talk about a problem at work
How to build a simple work timeline, what to keep, and what not to take from your employer.
- What to have ready before you talk to a lawyer
A short, practical list you can use for any kind of problem.
Questions people ask
My employer says I was employed at will. What does that mean?
Most jobs in the United States are at will: either side can end the job at any time, for almost any reason or none. The exception is an illegal reason, such as firing someone because of their race, sex, age or disability, or because they complained about discrimination, took protected leave or reported wrongdoing.
Should I sign the severance agreement?
A severance agreement usually asks you to give up any claims against the employer in exchange for the payment, and once signed that is hard to undo. Older workers often have extra time by federal law to consider one that gives up age discrimination claims. Have a lawyer look before you sign.
Can I take documents from work to prove my case?
Keep what is yours, such as your pay stubs, offer letter and reviews. Don't take confidential company files, forward business email to yourself, or log in to systems you may no longer use. Tell the lawyer what exists instead.
What does it cost?
It costs nothing to ask. Lawyers who represent employees often work on a contingency fee, a share of any recovery, and some employment laws let an employee who wins recover lawyer fees from the employer.
This may also apply
- Hurt at work
If you were hurt at work, or punished for reporting an injury.
- Whistleblower rewards
If you reported fraud on the government or investors, there may be separate protections and reward programs.
- Disability benefits denied or stopped
If you left work because of an illness and your disability benefits were denied.
This page explains things in general terms. It is not legal advice about your situation, and the law differs from state to state.