Human Resources Attorneys: Fighting for Workers’ Rights

Every employee deserves a safe, respectful, and fair workplace. But for too many workers, that isn’t the reality. From illegal firings to workplace harassment, unpaid wages to toxic environments, employees across the country face serious challenges, and they often don’t know where to turn.

Human resources should be a source for employees to turn to. Unfortunately, these departments work for your employer, not you, and can often be designed to mitigate liability, not to help you.

That’s where human resources attorneys come in.

At Morgan & Morgan, we don’t represent employers or corporations. We never have, and we never will. We fight For the People. We fight for hardworking individuals who’ve been wronged at work, and we work tirelessly to get them the justice, compensation, and dignity they deserve.

If your rights as an employee have been violated, contact us today for a free case evaluation to learn more about your legal options.

What Is a Human Resources Attorney?

A human resources attorney is a legal advocate who helps employees deal with unfair, unlawful, or unsafe treatment in the workplace. These attorneys understand the complex web of local, state, and federal employment laws that protect workers, and they know how to enforce them.

An HR attorney can help you:

• File a complaint against your employer
• Sue for wrongful termination or retaliation
• Recover lost wages or benefits
• Hold a company accountable for discrimination or harassment
• Understand your rights and what legal options you have

While employers often have entire teams of attorneys protecting their interests, most workers are on their own. That’s why having a powerful legal team like Morgan & Morgan in your corner can make all the difference.

Common Issues HR Attorneys Help With

Here are some of the most common workplace problems our HR attorneys handle and how we help employees get justice:

Wrongful Termination

You can be fired for poor performance, layoffs, or other legitimate reasons. But if you’re fired for an illegal reason, such as reporting misconduct, refusing to break the law, or because of your race, gender, or other protected trait, you may have a case for wrongful termination.

Signs you may have been wrongfully terminated:

• You were fired after reporting harassment or unsafe conditions
• You were let go without warning after taking medical or family leave
• You were targeted after speaking out about discrimination or wage theft

Our attorneys can investigate your firing, gather evidence, and help you file a claim or lawsuit against your former employer.

Workplace Discrimination

Discrimination is illegal, but it still happens every day. Under laws like Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), it’s unlawful for employers to treat workers unfairly based on:

• Race or ethnicity
• Gender or sex (including pregnancy and LGBTQ+ status)
• Age (40 and over)
• Religion
• Disability
  National origin

Discrimination doesn’t always look like open insults or slurs. It can show up as:

• Being passed over for promotions
• Getting paid less than coworkers for the same job
• Being assigned worse shifts or duties
• Facing unfair disciplinary action

If you’ve been treated differently or punished because of who you are, we’ll stand up for your rights.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment creates a hostile, uncomfortable, and sometimes dangerous work environment. It includes unwanted touching, sexual comments, suggestive emails, or being pressured into sexual behavior by a boss or coworker.

You do not have to put up with it.

Federal and state laws give you the right to report harassment and seek protection. But many workers are scared to come forward for fear of losing their job or being retaliated against.

We understand how sensitive these cases are. Our HR attorneys will protect your privacy, advocate for you with compassion, and hold harassers and the companies that enable them accountable.

Wage Theft and Unpaid Overtime

You work hard. You deserve to be paid fairly and on time.

Unfortunately, many employers illegally withhold pay, misclassify employees, or deny overtime wages in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and other labor laws.

Common wage violations include:

• Not paying overtime (time-and-a-half) for hours worked over 40 in a week
• Misclassifying employees as “independent contractors” to avoid benefits
• Asking employees to work “off the clock”
• Refusing to pay for required training or prep time
• Denying mandated meal or rest breaks

Our attorneys can help you recover what you’re owed and may be able to pursue additional damages or class-action lawsuits if other workers were affected too.

Workplace Retaliation

Retaliation happens when an employer punishes you for asserting your rights, such as reporting illegal behavior, filing a discrimination complaint, or taking legally protected leave.

It’s not just wrong. It’s against the law.

Forms of retaliation include:

• Being fired, demoted, or reassigned
• Getting lower performance reviews after a complaint
• Being excluded from meetings or opportunities
• Facing harassment or threats from coworkers or management
   

You don’t have to accept being silenced or pushed out. We can help you stand up and push back.

Family and Medical Leave Violations

Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), eligible employees can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for:

• The birth or adoption of a child
• A serious health condition (yours or a family member’s)
• Military family leave
  
   

If your employer denies your leave, pressures you to return early, or retaliates against you for taking it, you may have a legal claim. We can help you enforce your right to care for yourself and your loved ones.

Hostile Work Environment

A hostile work environment occurs when a workplace becomes so toxic, abusive, or discriminatory that it interferes with your ability to do your job. This could be due to:

• Constant harassment or bullying
• Discriminatory jokes, slurs, or behavior
• A pattern of retaliation or intimidation
• Management ignoring or enabling misconduct
   

If your workplace feels unsafe or unbearable, it may be time to contact an HR attorney.

What You Can Recover in an Employment Lawsuit

If your rights have been violated, you may be entitled to significant compensation, including:

• Back pay for lost wages and benefits
• Front pay for future lost income
• Reinstatement to your job (in some cases)
• Emotional distress damages
• Punitive damages (to punish extreme wrongdoing)
• Legal fees and costs

At Morgan & Morgan, we fight to maximize your recovery. We don’t settle for what’s easy—we push for what’s right.

What to Expect When You Call Morgan & Morgan

Here’s how the process works when you reach out to us:

Step 1: Free, Confidential Consultation

You’ll speak with a member of our legal team about what happened. We’ll listen, ask questions, and let you know if you have a case.

Step 2: We Investigate

If we take your case, we’ll gather documents, interview witnesses, and build a strong legal strategy.

Step 3: We File Your Claim

Depending on the situation, we may file with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), a state labor agency, or directly in court.

Step 4: We Fight for You

Whether it’s negotiating a settlement or going to trial, we do whatever it takes to protect your rights and win your case.

Contact Morgan & Morgan’s Human Resources Attorneys Today

Work is more than just a paycheck. It’s your livelihood, your identity, and your path forward in a career. When that’s taken from you, it’s more than unfair. It’s unlawful.

You don’t have to go through it alone. If you’ve been mistreated, fired, underpaid, or harassed at work, Morgan & Morgan is here to help you stand up, speak out, and win back what you deserve.

Hiring one of our lawyers is easy, and you can get started in minutes with a free case evaluation.