Nashua, NH Employment Law Attorneys

Your Job, Your Life: Protect What Matters Most

When you're facing mistreatment at work, it's more than just a professional problem. It's personal. The stress, sleepless nights, and sense of powerlessness can weigh heavily. 

Whether you were unfairly fired, harassed by a manager, or denied pay you earned, the impact goes well beyond the workplace. Many folks in Nashua are quietly dealing with these struggles every day, feeling like they have no one in their corner.

From the buzzing tech offices off Amherst Street to the fast-paced retail shops near Daniel Webster Highway, the workforce keeps the city running. But not every employer follows the rules. 

The Nashua employment law attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, understand the pressure local workers are under. We combine deep knowledge of the employment law with a compassionate, aggressive approach to defending your rights. 

Our trusted New Hampshire law firm is here to listen, advise, and fight for fair treatment.

They’re Hoping You Don’t Know Your Rights. Let’s Change That.

Every employee in Nashua has rights. Knowing them is the first step to standing up for yourself when things go wrong. These protections are meant to give you security and peace of mind on the job:

Fair Pay and Overtime:

You're entitled to earn at least New Hampshire's minimum wage and receive time-and-a-half for hours worked over 40 per week. If you're stocking shelves at a big-box store on Daniel Webster Highway and clocking overtime without pay, that's a problem. Even salaried workers may qualify for overtime if they don’t meet certain legal tests. Employers who dodge wage laws can be held accountable.

Freedom from Discrimination and Harassment:

You can't be treated unfairly due to your race, gender, religion, age, or disability. If you're working in a healthcare clinic and notice others getting better shifts or promotions because of who they are, not what they do, that could violate your rights. Discrimination isn't always obvious, but the effects are real. You deserve equal opportunities at every stage.

A Safe Workplace:

Whether you're employed at a tech company off Spit Brook Road or a small diner near Main Street, you're entitled to a work environment that doesn’t put your health or safety at risk. That means working equipment, proper training, and protection from hazards. If your employer ignores those duties, they’re breaking the law.

Too often, workers just try to “deal with it.” But you don’t have to.

You Were Fired, But Was It Legal? Don’t Let Them Get Away with It

Getting fired can be devastating. But when it happens unfairly, it hits even harder. In New Hampshire, employers can terminate employment at-will—but not for illegal reasons.

If you were let go after reporting unsafe working conditions at a local distribution center, or suddenly dismissed after requesting medical leave, that could be wrongful termination. Maybe your boss at a tech startup on Amherst Street didn’t like that you asked too many questions about your contract. Or a retail manager cut your hours to zero after you mentioned you were pregnant.

These aren’t just bad management decisions. They could be legal violations. Losing your job means more than lost income. It affects your routine, your self-worth, and your family. You don’t have to accept it without answers.

Treated Differently at Work? That’s Not Just Unfair, It’s Illegal

Discrimination doesn’t always shout. Sometimes, it whispers. You might notice you’re being passed over for projects, or that others get support while you’re left out. Over time, these patterns take a toll.

New Hampshire law protects workers from discrimination based on:

• Race or color. You can’t be treated differently because of your skin tone or ethnic background. This applies to hiring, promotion, and daily treatment. Coded language or microaggressions still count as discrimination.
• Gender identity or sexual orientation. LGBTQ+ workers are protected from mistreatment, exclusion, or harassment. Your employer can’t legally punish you for how you identify or who you love. Everyone deserves respect and dignity at work.
• Age (40 and over). Age discrimination can be subtle. If you're overlooked for promotions or let go despite strong performance, age could be a factor. Experience matters, and the law says it must be respected.
• Religion or creed. You have the right to observe your faith without interference. That includes time for religious holidays and dress accommodations. Employers must make reasonable adjustments when they can.
• Disability. Whether your condition is visible or not, you’re entitled to reasonable accommodation. That can include modified tasks, adjusted hours, or physical accessibility. Being denied these rights is illegal.
• National origin or ancestry. Discrimination based on where you're from, or where your family is from, is prohibited. This includes assumptions about language skills or cultural traits. The law sees you as an individual, not a stereotype.

Let’s say you're a qualified candidate working in a Nashua corporate office, yet management always promotes less-experienced peers because you're older. Or you're a woman in a warehouse near Broad Street and regularly hear demeaning comments, with no action from HR. That’s not just wrong. It’s unlawful.

You Earned That Pay, Why Aren’t You Getting It?

You worked hard for that paycheck. Whether you're waiting tables downtown or running registers during a holiday rush at Pheasant Lane Mall, your time matters.

Wage and hour violations show up in many ways:

• Being denied overtime pay. If you're working more than 40 hours and not seeing time-and-a-half, your employer is breaking the law. Being salaried doesn’t always exempt you from overtime. It depends on your duties and pay structure.
• Having wages withheld. Employers can’t delay or reduce pay without a legal reason. Holding back wages as punishment or "processing time" is wage theft. You have a right to be paid fully and on time.
• Not receiving proper breaks. Workers deserve breaks, especially on long shifts. Employers can’t make you work through meals or skip rest periods. It’s not just inconsiderate, it’s illegal.
• Having tips skimmed by managers. Tips are for service staff, not for supervisors or back-of-house workers. If managers are dipping into the tip pool, that’s a violation. Even if it’s “policy,” it’s still not allowed under the law.

In restaurants along Main Street, we’ve seen employers force staff to share tips with non-tipped workers. And in busy retail shops, employees often report being clocked out but told to keep working. That’s against the rules.

Sexual Harassment Is Still Happening in Nashua and It Has to Stop

Harassment can turn a decent job into a nightmare. It creates an unsafe, uncomfortable environment where you feel powerless. No one should have to deal with that. Not in Nashua, not anywhere.

Sexual harassment includes:

• Unwanted touching or comments. If someone makes you uncomfortable with physical contact or sexual remarks, you can take action. Harassment doesn’t have to be physical to be serious. Words alone can create a toxic environment.
• Repeated sexual jokes or innuendo. Jokes about sex, body parts, or romantic relationships can create a hostile atmosphere. You shouldn’t have to laugh it off to keep your job. Everyone deserves a workplace free from that kind of pressure.
• Pressure for dates or favors from someone in power. If a supervisor implies your job depends on personal attention, that’s coercion. It doesn’t have to be outright to be illegal. Even suggestions or subtle comments can cross the line.
• Retaliation for speaking up. You’re protected if you report harassment. Your employer can’t legally punish you for doing the right thing. Any backlash, like reduced hours or hostility, is itself a violation.

Picture a receptionist in a medical office near the Nashua River who's constantly subjected to lewd jokes by a supervisor. Or a hotel worker on Daniel Webster Highway who feels unsafe around a coworker but fears speaking up will cost her job. 

These aren’t just "bad situations." They are violations of the law.

They Can’t Silence You, Retaliation Is Illegal

Many people stay silent about workplace problems out of fear. And for good reason, retaliation is real. But it’s also illegal.

If you report harassment, wage theft, or unsafe conditions, your employer can’t legally punish you. That means they can’t fire you, demote you, cut your hours, or treat you unfairly just because you spoke up. 

It doesn’t matter if your complaint wasn’t upheld. What matters is that you made it in good faith.

We've heard from workers in industrial shops near Pine Hill Road who were reassigned to worse shifts after filing complaints. Nurses at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center have faced write-ups after flagging safety concerns. 

These aren’t coincidences. They’re signs of retaliation. You have a right to a workplace where raising concerns doesn't cost you your career.

When Life Hits Hard, Your Job Shouldn't Be Another Battle

When life happens, you shouldn't have to choose between your health and your job. Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), qualifying workers in Nashua can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for specific family and medical reasons.

That includes:

• Recovering from a serious illness. If you're managing a health crisis, time off is protected. You shouldn’t worry about losing your job while healing. Your health matters more than your hours worked.
• Caring for a sick parent or child. When a loved one needs help, you should be there. FMLA allows you to be present without risking your paycheck. It’s about supporting families during hard times.
• Bonding with a new baby or adopted child. New parents need time to adjust. You’re entitled to leave, whether you gave birth or adopted. That early bonding time is legally protected.

Imagine a mother working in a pharmacy near Nashua Mall who needs time off to care for her newborn. Or a father in a local IT firm who needs to support his partner through cancer treatment. 

These situations are deeply personal. Your job should support, not punish, you for prioritizing family.

Unsafe at Work? Say Something Before It’s Too Late

You deserve to go to work and come home in one piece. That’s not asking too much. 

Safety laws exist for a reason, and employers in Nashua must follow both federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards and New Hampshire-specific rules.

We've seen violations in places like manufacturing plants near the Everett Turnpike—missing safety gear, broken machinery, no training. In medical settings, like local urgent care clinics, issues like needle disposal or chemical exposure put workers at risk every day.

Employers must provide proper safety equipment, clear protocols, and ongoing training. If they don’t, and someone gets hurt, that’s on them. You don’t have to stay silent when you feel unsafe.

Before You Sign That Contract, Read This.

Contracts can protect you or trap you. 

Too many workers sign employment agreements without knowing what they’re giving up. And when it's time to leave, severance agreements often come with strings attached.

In Nashua's growing tech and sales sectors, non-compete clauses and complex contract terms are everywhere. 

Maybe you joined a startup near Crown Street and didn’t realize your contract limited where you could work next. Or you were offered severance from a medical sales firm, but the agreement waived your right to sue.

Contracts should work for both sides. Before you sign anything, it’s worth knowing exactly what it means.

Why Nashua Workers Choose Horn Wright, LLP

Our employment law attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, take Nashua's working community seriously. We live here, we know the employers, and we understand the challenges local workers face. 

Whether you work in healthcare, retail, manufacturing, or tech, our team has the experience and local insight to help. We're not just legal advocates. We're compassionate partners who fight hard and listen even harder.

With one of the leading law firms in the country, you get a team that stands beside you, ready to protect your rights and help you find peace of mind again.

Let us handle the legal battle. Call (603) 716-9415 today to schedule your FREE consultation.