Hampton, NH Employment Law Attorneys

Protecting Your Rights in the Workplace

When something goes wrong at work, it doesn’t just mess with your paycheck. It creeps into your sleep, your mood, even your sense of self-worth. 

Whether you’re facing harassment at a beachside café or got fired from a retail job along Ocean Boulevard, these experiences hit hard. In a close-knit community like Hampton, where familiar faces and local businesses line Route 1, employment problems feel especially personal.

Our experienced Hampton employment law attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, understand how overwhelming these situations can be. We know the town’s job scene inside and out. 

Whether you’re in a seasonal hospitality role or a long-term position with a local employer, our New Hampshire law firm brings empathy, experience, and strong advocacy to your case. We’re here to help you reclaim your peace of mind and your rights.

Wrongful Termination in Hampton Isn’t Just Losing a Job

Getting fired can turn your life upside down. It’s not just about income. It’s the shock, the humiliation, and the fear of what comes next. When that firing isn’t legal, it cuts even deeper.

Wrongful termination in New Hampshire happens when an employer lets someone go for an illegal reason. That might include being fired because of your race, gender, disability, age, or for reporting illegal behavior. New Hampshire is an “at-will” employment state, meaning employers don’t need a reason to fire you, but they still can’t break the law.

In Hampton, where many jobs revolve around small businesses and the summer rush at Hampton Beach, we see wrongful terminations that often stem from:

• Seasonal employees being let go after raising safety concerns. This kind of retaliation is against the law. Employers don’t get a free pass just because the work is seasonal.
• Hospitality workers fired for speaking out about unpaid wages. Some employers assume seasonal workers won’t fight back. But reporting wage violations is protected by law.
• Long-term employees abruptly dismissed after medical leave requests. These firings may violate Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or disability laws. Needing time off shouldn’t cost you your job.

You don’t have to accept unfair treatment. Legal options exist to protect your future and your dignity.

Wage and Hour Disputes: When Your Hard Work in Hampton Isn’t Fairly Compensated

You put in the hours, but your paycheck doesn’t reflect it. That stings. Whether it’s missing overtime, tips that disappear, or a final check that never comes, it’s more than just a mistake. It’s a legal issue.

New Hampshire law is clear: you deserve fair pay for every hour you work. That means minimum wage, time-and-a-half for overtime after 40 hours, and timely pay. If an employer skips any of that, they’re violating the law.

In Hampton, where restaurants, hotels, and summer shops keep the town buzzing, wage issues show up in situations like:

• Servers at beachfront restaurants not receiving full tips. Some tips are withheld or wrongly shared. That money belongs to the workers who earned it.
• Hotel staff working long shifts without proper overtime. During peak season, employers may try to bend the rules. But labor laws don’t pause just because it’s busy.
• Teen workers at summer jobs not being paid minimum wage. Young workers often don’t know their rights. Employers still have to follow the law, regardless of age.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Getting help can make sure your time and effort are respected.

Workplace Harassment in Hampton: Silence Isn’t an Option Anymore

Being harassed at work chips away at your sense of safety. You might feel trapped, scared to speak up, or unsure if anyone will take you seriously. But staying silent only makes things worse and the law is on your side.

Harassment at work includes unwelcome behavior based on protected traits like race, gender, religion, age, or disability. It becomes illegal when it creates a hostile environment or when you’re forced to endure it to keep your job.

In Hampton, where many jobs are in smaller settings, harassment can take many forms. We’ve seen:

• A seasonal worker at a beachfront bar being repeatedly harassed by a supervisor. Without strong HR systems, problems often go unchecked. But even in small shops, workers are protected.
• Retail staff at local shops being targeted with racial slurs. This kind of abuse isn’t just unacceptable. It’s against the law. Every employee deserves respect.
• LGBTQ+ employees in small businesses being marginalized or ridiculed. Discrimination based on identity creates real harm. The law doesn’t allow it, even if the workplace is casual.

You don’t have to go through this alone. There are legal protections, and there are people ready to help.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA): Protecting Hampton Families When It Matters Most

When life throws you a curveball, like illness or a new baby, your job shouldn’t be something you fear losing. But many Hampton workers feel stuck, afraid to ask for time off.

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) gives eligible employees in New Hampshire up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave. It applies to serious medical conditions, childbirth, adoption, or caring for a sick loved one. Your employer must keep your health insurance going while you’re away, too.

In Hampton’s small-business-heavy job market, we regularly hear about situations like:

• Workers in hospitality being denied leave after a medical diagnosis. Some employers think short-term workers don’t qualify. That’s not how FMLA works.
• Parents pressured to return to work too soon after a baby is born. That pressure can take a toll on families. The law gives you the time to bond without risking your job.
• Employees afraid to request time off for caregiving needs. They worry about retaliation or being replaced. But requesting FMLA leave is a legal right.

You shouldn’t have to choose between your family and your job. You’re entitled to both.

Employment Discrimination: Fighting for Equal Treatment in Hampton Workplaces

Being treated unfairly at work because of who you are hits hard. It doesn’t just affect your job. It hurts your sense of worth. That kind of treatment is illegal.

New Hampshire law bans discrimination based on things like race, sex, age (40+), pregnancy, disability, religion, or national origin. This applies to hiring, firing, pay, promotions—really, any part of the job.

In Hampton, we’ve seen discrimination play out in different ways:

• Age discrimination in local retail positions. Older workers may be overlooked or pushed out. But age shouldn’t affect your value.
• Gender discrimination in the male-dominated landscaping and trades industries. Women may be passed over or harassed. Skills, not gender, should guide who gets hired.
• Racial or ethnic bias in restaurant hiring practices along Ocean Boulevard. Sometimes it’s subtle, sometimes blatant. Either way, it’s against the law.

You deserve to be judged by your work, not your identity. Equal treatment isn’t optional. It’s your right.

Retaliation Claims in Hampton: Standing Up Should Never Mean Getting Knocked Down

It takes guts to speak up at work. Whether you're reporting harassment, unpaid wages, or unsafe conditions, you’re trying to make things right. Sadly, some employers punish workers who come forward.

That’s called retaliation, and it’s illegal under New Hampshire law. You’re protected if you report a problem, take part in an investigation, or stand up for your rights.

In Hampton, we’ve seen workers punished after:

• Reporting labor violations at a local seafood shack. Some were cut from the schedule or demoted. Retaliation like that only proves the original issue was real.
• Filing a harassment complaint against a manager at a boutique hotel. After speaking up, some workers were suddenly isolated or reassigned. That’s retaliation, plain and simple.
• Bringing safety concerns to light in a construction crew on Route 1. They were warned to keep quiet or risk their jobs. The law protects whistleblowers from that kind of pressure.

You have the right to speak up without fear. If you’re punished for doing the right thing, the law is on your side.

Navigating Severance Agreements and Non-Compete Clauses in Hampton: Protect Your Future Career

Getting a severance offer or a non-compete contract can be confusing. You may feel rushed, unsure, or even pressured to sign. But these documents can seriously affect your next steps.

In New Hampshire, employers aren’t required to offer severance pay. But when they do, there are often strings attached. Non-compete clauses can limit where and how you work afterward.

In Hampton, where seasonal jobs are common, these agreements still carry real weight. We’ve seen:

• A chef at a seasonal restaurant being told they can’t work at a competitor the next summer. That could cost them their entire livelihood. Often, these clauses are overly broad and not enforceable.
• Retail staff offered a small severance but required to waive legal claims. Signing away your rights isn’t worth a few extra dollars. It’s important to read the fine print.
• Former employees being restricted from working along Route 1 due to vague non-compete terms. These limits can crush future job options. You don’t have to accept unreasonable terms.

Before you sign, get guidance. One signature shouldn’t close off your entire career path.

Hampton’s Employment Law Resources: Where to Turn for Immediate Help

If you're dealing with a job-related issue in Hampton, there are local and state resources that can offer support. These include:

• New Hampshire Department of Labor (DOL): Investigates wage, hour, and labor complaints. Located in Concord, but covers all of Rockingham County. They can also answer basic questions about your rights.
• New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights: Handles harassment and discrimination claims. You can submit complaints online or speak directly with an investigator.
• Hampton Town Offices: Located at 100 Winnacunnet Road. They can provide business records and licenses that may help in employment disputes.

These services can guide you. But for full legal protection, an employment attorney can be your strongest ally.

Why Choose Horn Wright, LLP: Your Trusted Hampton Employment Law Advocates

We don’t just work in New Hampshire—we live and breathe the challenges of Hampton’s workforce. Whether you're fighting wrongful termination, unpaid wages, or harassment, our employment law attorneys know how to move quickly and effectively. 

We care about getting results that make a difference. Our legal team brings deep knowledge, years of experience, and relentless focus to every single case. 

With us, you don’t just get legal help. You get people, from one of the most trusted law firms in the country, who actually care about what happens next for you.

If you’re ready to get started, call (603) 716-9415 today to arrange your free, no-obligation consultation or schedule it online.