Goffstown, NH Employment Law Attorneys

Your Job Shouldn’t Cause You Stress, But When It Does, We’re Here to Help

You shouldn’t feel a pit in your stomach every time you head into work. 

Yet here you are: maybe it's after a tense meeting on Daniel Plummer Road, or a hostile shift at a shop near the Village area—feeling overwhelmed, mistreated, or unsure about your rights. 

That kind of pressure doesn’t just stay at work. It follows you home, weighs on your mind, and steals your peace.

Our Goffstown employment law attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, understand how much your job impacts every part of your life. That’s why we take your concerns seriously, really seriously. 

Whether you were wrongfully fired, unfairly treated, or simply not getting paid what you’re owed, we’re here to listen and advise. As your New Hampshire law firm, we fight back so you don’t have to do this all by yourself.

Wrongful Termination in Goffstown: Losing Your Job Isn’t Just Unfair. It's Personal

You give your time, your energy, and your loyalty to your job. So when you're suddenly let go without reason—or worse, for standing up for yourself—it hits hard. The shock is real. The financial panic is real. And the emotional fallout? That can linger for months.

New Hampshire follows an “at-will” employment system. That means an employer can fire someone for almost any reason or no reason at all. But there are clear limits. They can’t terminate someone for illegal reasons, even under the “at-will” rule. If you were fired as punishment for asserting your legal rights or protected characteristics, you may have a case.

Illegal termination may include being fired for:

• Reporting illegal or unethical activity: If you spoke up about unsafe work conditions or wage violations and were let go, that could be retaliation. Employers sometimes try to mask retaliation by offering vague or shifting reasons for the termination. If the timing seems suspicious, it probably isn’t a coincidence.
• Discrimination: Employers cannot fire you because of your race, gender, religion, age, disability, or sexual orientation. These are protected traits under both state and federal law. If your termination followed a complaint about unequal treatment, that’s worth a deeper look.
• Exercising protected rights: This includes taking family or medical leave or asking for reasonable accommodations. If you were fired shortly after making such a request, there’s a real chance your rights were violated. Don’t let your employer convince you otherwise.

We’ve worked with Goffstown locals who were let go after speaking up about unfair schedules or complaining about harassment. 

Whether it happened near Mountain Base Road or inside a busy retail shop off Route 114, the outcome can feel deeply personal. If you were fired after asserting your rights, it's not just unfair. It could be against the law.

Workplace Discrimination in Goffstown: When Fairness Goes Out the Window

You shouldn't have to work harder just to be treated equally. Whether you're passed over for promotions, routinely shut out of meetings, or subtly targeted by coworkers, discrimination at work has a way of making you question your worth. It chips away at your motivation. It can even impact your health and relationships outside of work.

New Hampshire law and federal law makes it illegal for employers to treat you differently based on your identity. These protections cover every part of your employment journey, from job applications to performance reviews.

You’re protected from discrimination based on:

• Race or color: Employers are not allowed to treat you differently, exclude you from opportunities, or make comments that show bias based on your skin color or ethnicity.
• Religion or national origin: Whether it’s related to your faith practices or cultural background, you have the right to work without being targeted or singled out.
• Sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation: Discrimination on these bases includes being denied promotions, harassed, or judged unfairly because of who you are.
• Age or disability: Employers can’t use your age or a health condition as an excuse to limit your responsibilities or reduce your hours unfairly.

We’ve heard from workers at small businesses on Mast Road and professionals in the area near Hillsborough County government offices. 

Some were denied advancement opportunities, others were constantly micromanaged or left out of important discussions. We’ve also received concerns from employees working near Goffstown High School or off Goffstown Back Road who experienced subtle but consistent bias.

Discrimination isn’t always loud or obvious. Sometimes, it’s patterns. Being written up more harshly than coworkers. Suddenly getting worse shifts. Being the only one excluded from a team project. These things matter.

If you’re being treated differently, you don’t need to suffer through it or second-guess yourself. The law is on your side.

Harassment at Work in Goffstown: You Deserve Respect. Period.

Walking into a toxic workplace every day drains you. You lose sleep. You dread your shift. Your performance takes a hit, not because you’re not capable, but because no one thrives in a hostile environment.

Workplace harassment becomes illegal when it crosses the line into creating a hostile or intimidating work environment. This doesn’t just mean physical harassment. It also includes:

• Verbal abuse: Comments or jokes about your appearance, religion, gender, or sexuality that make you uncomfortable. When repeated over time, these remarks can create a damaging work culture. Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected on the job.
• Unwanted advances: Whether it's touching, repeated messages, or inappropriate invitations, you have the right to say no. Even one incident can be enough if it creates an intimidating environment. Don’t let anyone downplay your discomfort.
• Retaliation for speaking up: If your working conditions got worse after you filed a complaint, that may be part of the problem. Retaliation often follows subtle patterns, like shift changes or increased scrutiny. If it feels like punishment, it might be.

We’ve worked with employees at warehouse jobs near Route 13 and customer service roles close to Glen Lake who said they felt trapped and unheard. 

Many people try to ignore harassment, hoping it will stop. Others report it to management, only to have their concerns dismissed. Some are even blamed for the harassment.

That’s not okay. Keep records. Write down dates, names, and what happened. Save messages. 

If you’ve already spoken to HR and nothing changed, or things got worse, you’re not alone. We’ve seen this in workplaces all around Goffstown. Respect is a right, not a luxury.

Goffstown Wage and Hour Disputes: You Worked Hard for Your Paycheck. We’ll Make Sure You Get It

If payday feels more like a guessing game than a celebration, something might be wrong. Wage and hour violations happen quietly. You might notice your check seems short, or your hours aren’t fully counted. Maybe you're told to clock out, then keep working “just a few more minutes.” That adds up fast.

We’ve helped restaurant workers in Pinardville, caregivers at local facilities, and retail employees throughout Goffstown recover wages they were rightfully owed. We’ve even consulted with staff working in assisted living centers near Westlawn Cemetery and delivery drivers covering areas between Shirley Hill and Uncanoonuc Mountains.

Some red flags to watch for:

• Unpaid overtime: If you’re working more than 40 hours a week and not getting time-and-a-half, that’s illegal. Employers sometimes classify hourly workers as salaried to avoid paying overtime. This is a misclassification. You may be entitled to back pay and penalties.
• Minimum wage violations: You must be paid at least the New Hampshire minimum wage for every hour you work. Tips cannot be used to cover up wage shortages unless done properly under tip credit rules. If you’re walking away with less than you earned, that’s not okay.
• Working off the clock: Whether it’s opening the store early or finishing up after clocking out, that’s time your employer must pay you for. You shouldn’t be pressured to “help out” before your shift without compensation. Time is money and yours deserves to be respected.

Employers are legally required to keep accurate records of your hours. If you’ve been underpaid, misclassified as a salaried worker, or denied rest breaks, don’t brush it off. These aren’t little mistakes. They’re violations of your rights.

Family and Medical Leave in Goffstown: Balancing Work and Life Shouldn’t Feel Impossible

Life doesn't schedule itself around your job. And when something big happens—whether it's welcoming a child, recovering from surgery, or caring for a loved one—you need time. You shouldn’t have to worry about losing your job for doing what’s right for your family or your health.

Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), eligible employees can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave each year. This law covers a range of situations, including:

• Serious personal health conditions: Whether you're recovering from surgery or managing a long-term illness, you have the right to take time to heal. Your employer cannot penalize you for prioritizing your health. If they do, that could be considered interference with your rights.
• Caring for a spouse, parent, or child with a health issue: Family responsibilities are protected under the law. You shouldn't be forced to choose between your job and the people you love. A good employer understands this, and the law demands it.
• Birth, adoption, or placement of a child: Welcoming a child should be a joyful time, not a period of job insecurity. Whether you’re a mother, father, or adoptive parent, FMLA protects your role in the early stages of parenting. Denials of leave for these reasons are worth challenging.

Your employer can’t fire you, reduce your hours, or retaliate just because you used protected leave. But unfortunately, we’ve seen employers across Goffstown drag their feet when it comes to granting leave or push back with flimsy excuses.

If you’re eligible and your employer denied your FMLA request, or punished you for taking time off, you could have a case. Document every request, response, and communication. Your health and your family matter.

Protecting Whistleblowers in Goffstown: Speaking Up Is Brave. We Make Sure You’re Heard.

Blowing the whistle takes guts. Whether you noticed unsafe conditions at a job site or uncovered financial misconduct at your office near Goffstown Village, reporting wrongdoing is never easy. The fear of retaliation is real. So is the pressure to stay quiet.

The good news? New Hampshire law protects whistleblowers who report violations in good faith. These protections apply whether you:

• Filed a complaint with a government agency: Reporting to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Department of Labor, or another authority is a protected action. Your employer can’t retaliate just because you involved outside help. If they do, legal action may be warranted.
• Reported a lawbreaking activity internally: You don’t have to go public to be protected. Telling your supervisor or HR about illegal practices still counts. Internal complaints are often the first step toward resolving workplace issues.
• Participated in an investigation or testified in a legal matter: Cooperation with investigators or legal processes is a right, not a liability. Employers are forbidden from punishing you for helping expose the truth. If they do, the law is ready to back you up.

You can’t be legally fired, demoted, harassed, or have your hours cut for doing the right thing. If your work life suddenly turned cold, or even hostile, after speaking up, that could be retaliation. We’ve seen it happen to employees who were once praised and promoted, until they raised concerns.

Don’t second-guess your instincts. If you reported misconduct and your workplace turned on you, let’s talk. You deserve protection, not punishment.

Navigating Unemployment Claims in Goffstown: Financial Stability When You Need It Most

Losing your job brings enough stress. But when you add the confusion of filing for unemployment? It can be downright overwhelming. We've spoken with folks all over Goffstown who felt lost in the maze of forms, waiting periods, and appeal letters.

Here’s what you need to qualify for unemployment benefits in New Hampshire:

• You lost your job through no fault of your own (laid off, position eliminated, etc.): Quitting voluntarily may disqualify you unless it was for good cause. Being terminated for misconduct could also make you ineligible. But layoffs, job closures, and reductions usually qualify.
• You’re actively looking for work and available to accept a job: Keeping track of your job search is essential. The state may ask for documentation to prove your efforts. This step is not optional. It’s a basic requirement.
• You earned enough income in the prior year to meet minimum eligibility: New Hampshire calculates this based on your base period wages. If you worked sporadically or had multiple jobs, it's especially important to keep pay stubs. These numbers matter when your benefits are being calculated.

Even if you meet the criteria, you can still be denied. That’s where documentation helps. Keep a detailed record of:

• Your termination or layoff notice: This document helps prove you didn't leave voluntarily and can confirm your eligibility. Store both physical and digital copies for easy reference.
• Your pay history: Accurate wage records can support your claim and ensure correct benefit calculations. Gather your pay stubs, direct deposit statements, and tax forms.
• Every job you apply for while unemployed: Maintain a job search log with dates, employers, and responses. This shows you’re meeting the "actively seeking work" requirement and helps defend against false denials.

If you’ve been denied benefits or feel stuck in the application process, don’t panic. You’re not alone. We help Goffstown residents appeal rejections and make sure their rights are protected throughout the process.

Horn Wright, LLP: Your Local Employment Law Champions in Goffstown

We take pride in being fierce, strategic advocates for employees in Goffstown and across New Hampshire. Whether you’ve been mistreated, fired, underpaid, or silenced, our attorneys are ready to fight for your dignity, your paycheck, and your future. 

Our employment law attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, combine deep legal knowledge with heartfelt commitment—because we know this isn’t just a case. It’s your life, your security, and your peace of mind. And we’re honored to stand in your corner.

Fight for your rights with one of the most respected law firms in the country as your fierce legal support. Call (603) 716-9415 today or leave a message online to get started with your free consultation.