Exeter, NH Employment Law Attorneys

You’ve Put in the Work, We’ll Fight When They Don’t Play Fair

You’re heading to your job near Lincoln Street, grabbing coffee before a shift at a local shop off Portsmouth Avenue, or clocking in at Exeter Hospital. You’ve shown up day after day, done your work, and kept things running, even when it hasn’t been easy.

Then something changes. You speak up about unpaid wages. Or take medical leave. Maybe you just ask a question no one else wants to. Suddenly, your hours get slashed. You’re written up for things that were never a problem before. And no one seems to want to make eye contact anymore.

When your job starts affecting your mental health, your sleep, and your ability to feel safe, that’s more than workplace stress. That’s a warning sign.

Our Exeter employment law attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, represent workers across Rockingham County who’ve been mistreated, retaliated against, or wrongfully terminated. 

From healthcare professionals to retail workers near Epping Road, we know how fast a job can go wrong and we’re here to make it right.

Discrimination Has No Place in Your Paycheck or Promotion

Most employers say they have zero-tolerance policies. But the truth is, discrimination still finds its way in — through side comments, unfair scheduling, or outright hostility.

Our New Hampshire law firm has supported Exeter workers who were passed over for promotions, mocked for their identities, or excluded after disclosing a disability.

The law protects you from discrimination based on:

• Gender identity, sex, or sexual orientation. From subtle snubs to offensive comments, your dignity should never be compromised at work. This includes the right to be addressed correctly and treated with respect.
• Disability, religion, or age. Your employer must make reasonable accommodation and treat all employees fairly. No exceptions. It’s not just about physical needs. It’s about fair treatment and inclusion.
• Race or ethnicity. You should never be evaluated differently or left behind because of your background. Hiring, promotion, and discipline must be based on merit. Not bias.

If you’re constantly walking on eggshells or feeling isolated at work, it’s worth taking a closer look.

When a "Thank You" Turns Into a Pink Slip

You’ve done the work. Shown up on time. Covered extra shifts. Then you raise a concern and just like that, you’re out of a job.

We’ve helped employees in Exeter who were fired for reasons that didn’t add up. A medical assistant let go after asking for light duty. A server dismissed after pointing out wage violations. A warehouse worker told their position was "eliminated" the same week they filed a formal complaint.

Wrongful termination often includes:

• Breaking agreements, written or implied. If company policy, emails, or conversations made you feel secure in your job, courts can treat those as enforceable promises. Your employer can’t change the rules whenever they want.
• Firing as a form of punishment. If your employer lets you go shortly after you report misconduct or request accommodations, that timing isn’t a coincidence. The law sees through excuses used to hide retaliation.
• Termination tied to discrimination. You can’t be fired for your age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or disability. Every employee deserves the same opportunity to keep their job.

Whether you work at a café off Water Street or in a back office near Town Hall, you don’t have to accept being pushed out for standing up for yourself.

What You’re Owed Isn’t Optional, It’s the Law in Exeter

You’re running back-to-back shifts near Portsmouth Avenue. Your boss says you’re salaried but doesn’t explain what that means. You’re asked to clock out, then help close.

If this sounds like your workweek, you could be losing money. Here’s what you’re legally owed:

• Your final paycheck on time. If you’re fired or quit, you should receive your wages within 72 hours. No games, no delays. This includes all earned wages, not just base pay.
• Pay for all time worked. That includes setup, cleanup, waiting on deliveries, or anything your manager tells you to do. Tasks before and after your shift count, even if they feel small.
• Overtime for anything over 40 hours. Unless your role truly qualifies for an exemption, you should be earning time-and-a-half. Misclassification doesn’t excuse underpayment.

Wage theft doesn’t always feel obvious. But even 15 minutes a day can add up to hundreds over time.

Harassment Isn't Just Annoying, It's Illegal across Exeter

Workplace harassment rarely starts loud. It builds. A coworker makes an off-color comment. A supervisor texts you after hours. People laugh at jokes that make your skin crawl.

And it keeps happening. Until it affects your focus. Your mood. Your whole sense of safety on the job.

If this sounds familiar, here’s what you can do:

• Talk to an employment law attorney. You don’t have to decide alone what’s worth pursuing. Speaking with a legal advocate can give you clarity and confidence.
• Document every incident. Keep screenshots, emails, or handwritten notes with names, dates, and what was said or done. Keeping a log over time can reveal patterns others might dismiss.
• Report the behavior in writing. Tell a supervisor or HR. Do it via email or letter and keep a copy. What you put in writing becomes part of the record.

No matter how small it seems, harassment impacts your well-being. And you don’t have to take it.

Real Rights, Real Protections, Even in At-Will Jobs

The reality? Most employers won’t volunteer the rights you’re entitled to under the law. Whether you work in downtown Exeter, near Phillips Exeter Academy, or along High Street, you have legal protections under both state and federal employment laws.

You’re legally entitled to:

• Protection from retaliation. If you report unsafe conditions, file a complaint, or take medical or family leave, your job cannot be used as leverage against you. Employers who retaliate often try to cover it up, but patterns don’t lie.
• Fair pay for every minute worked. If you’re asked to prep before opening or stay late to clean up, you must be paid for that time. Breaks, meetings, and short tasks still count as time worked.
• A respectful, discrimination-free workplace. That means no jokes, slurs, or mistreatment based on your identity — not from coworkers, not from management. You deserve a space where your presence isn’t questioned or challenged.

New Hampshire’s at-will employment status doesn’t mean employers get a blank check. If you’re fired or punished for speaking up, that could be a serious legal violation.

Your Health and Family Deserve Support, Not Setbacks

Sometimes life knocks you down. Maybe you're recovering from surgery. Maybe you're caring for your child or your aging parent. You shouldn’t have to choose between healing, or helping someone else, and keeping your job.

Under the law, eligible workers can:

• Request modified duties. A doctor’s note supporting lighter work or schedule changes should be respected. Accommodation can include changes in hours, tasks, or physical duties.
• Seek accommodation for medical needs. If your condition affects how or when you can work, your employer is required to engage in a conversation about it. You don’t have to share everything, just enough to support your request.
• Take protected leave for family or medical reasons. Up to 12 weeks of job-protected, unpaid leave under FMLA. Your employer cannot replace you or punish you for taking this time.

We’ve helped Exeter workers penalized for trying to take care of themselves or others. That’s not okay and it’s not legal.

If They’re Punishing You for Doing the Right Thing, That’s Retaliation

You do the right thing. Speak up about safety. Support a colleague. Take a leave you’re legally allowed to. Suddenly, your hours drop. Your evaluations nosedive. You’re walking on eggshells.

That’s not paranoia. That’s retaliation. You’re protected under New Hampshire law if you:

• Take FMLA or other protected leave. Your absence can’t be held against you. Your return to work should be met with respect, not resentment.
• Participate in an investigation or legal process. Even if you're just a witness, retaliation is still illegal. You are protected for standing up, whether it’s for yourself or someone else.
• Report harassment, wage theft, or illegal behavior. You can’t be punished for calling out wrongdoing. The law is on your side, even when management isn’t.

Whether you work in retail near Epping Road or education near Linden Street, your employer has a legal duty not to retaliate. If they do, we’ll help you hold them accountable.

Horn Wright, LLP: Fierce, Local Employment Law Advocates in Exeter

We stand up for workers across Exeter, from hospital staff and office clerks to restaurant servers and school aides. When your job becomes toxic, one of the country's leading law firms help you fight back with confidence, clarity, and care.

Our employment law attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, use strategic legal insight and real-world experience to protect your job, your dignity, and your rights. We’ll hear you out, explain your options, and go after what’s fair.

Don’t wait until things get worse. Call (603) 716-9415 now to schedule your free consultation. Speak directly with a local attorney and get the answers you need.