Image of a client visiting with an attorney in Medford, OR

If you work in Medford or elsewhere in Jackson County and your employer has treated you unfairly, you don’t have to navigate it alone.

Meyer Employment Law represents employees only in workplace disputes — we never represent employers. We help Medford workers with wrongful termination, discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, and wage and hour claims under Oregon and federal law.

With our years of experience fighting for our clients in Medford, Oregon and the skill that comes with it, at Meyer, we want to balance the odds and fight for you against any adverse steps your employer takes, no matter how large or well-funded they are.

  • Focused exclusively on employee-side employment law
  • Representing workers throughout Oregon, including Medford and Jackson County
  • Free, confidential consultation for Medford employees

[Free Consultation for Medford Employees]

Serving Medford & Jackson County – how we work with you

We are based in Oregon and regularly represent workers from Medford, Central Point, Ashland, and throughout Jackson County. Most Medford clients meet with us by phone or video, and we handle your case in the courts and agencies that cover Southern Oregon, including:

  • Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI)
  • Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
  • Jackson County Circuit Court in Medford
  • Federal court when appropriate

You get the benefit of an employment law firm focused on employee rights across Oregon, without needing to drive to Portland just to get help.

We represent Medford workers in cases involving:

  • Wrongful termination – being fired for illegal reasons, including discrimination, retaliation, or for refusing to do something unlawful.
  • Workplace discrimination – unfair treatment based on race, sex, pregnancy, disability, age, religion, national origin, or other protected characteristics.
  • Sexual harassment – unwanted sexual comments, touching, propositions, or a hostile work environment created by coworkers, supervisors, or even customers.
  • Retaliation and whistleblowing – punishment for reporting discrimination, harassment, unsafe working conditions, wage violations, or other unlawful conduct.
  • Unpaid wages and overtime – not being paid for all hours worked, unpaid overtime, off-the-clock work, late final paychecks, or illegal pay practices.

If you’re not sure how to label what happened to you, we can help you understand whether Oregon law protects you.

Unpaid Wages and Overtime for Medford Workers

Many Medford workers in warehouses, manufacturing, healthcare, restaurants, and other service jobs are not paid everything they are owed. Common problems include:

  • Being told to work “off the clock” before or after your shift
  • Automatic meal breaks deducted from your pay even when you still worked
  • Not being paid time-and-a-half after 40 hours in a workweek
  • Not receiving your final paycheck on time after you quit or were fired
  • Being treated as a “salaried” or “independent contractor” to avoid overtime pay

Under Oregon law, you may be entitled to:

  • Unpaid wages and overtime you were never paid
  • Penalty wages if your final paycheck was late or incomplete
  • Interest and sometimes attorney fees in certain types of wage claims

Wage and overtime claims are subject to strict deadlines. If you live or work in Medford and believe your employer has shorted your pay, it is important to talk with an attorney as soon as possible so you do not lose your rights.

[Free Consultation for Medford Employees]

Common Employment Issues We See in Medford

Because of the mix of industries in Medford and the Rogue Valley, we frequently see:

  • Healthcare workers written up or fired after raising patient safety or staffing concerns
  • Warehouse and manufacturing employees disciplined after reporting injuries or unsafe conditions
  • Restaurant and retail workers facing sexual harassment from supervisors or customers
  • Agricultural and seasonal workers underpaid or not paid overtime
  • Employees in all types of jobs fired soon after requesting medical leave, pregnancy accommodations, or disability-related changes

Even if your situation looks different from these examples, the underlying legal protections may still apply. We can evaluate what happened and explain your options.

What Should a Medford Employee Do Next?

If you believe your employer has broken the law:

  • Write down what happened – dates, names, witnesses, and what was said.
  • Save key documents – pay stubs, schedules, write-ups, emails, and texts.
  • Don’t quit without a plan – in some cases, quitting can affect your legal claims. Talk with an attorney first if you can.
  • Contact an employment lawyer who represents employees – not the company.

We can help you decide whether to file a complaint with BOLI or EEOC, pursue a lawsuit, negotiate a severance agreement, or take other steps to protect your rights.

Types of Employment Law

As an employee in Medford, Oregon, if you have been subjected to breaches of your employment rights, you can rely on our employment attorneys to fight for your rights. Some violations of your employee rights could include: 

Wrongful Termination

If your employment was terminated because of your age, color, gender, or any other protected class under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, you can take legal action against your former employer. To ensure that you get the greatest amount of compensation for your wrongful termination, our attorneys will investigate the circumstances surrounding your dismissal thoroughly and make a comprehensive plan of action for you.

Working Conditions

Every American worker has the right to a safe workplace. We can help you fight for better safety and compensation if you think your workplace doesn’t meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. Contact us now to learn more about how we can assist.

Sexual Harassment

Workplaces must be free of sexual harassment, including unwanted approaches or any behavior which creates a hostile, threatening or unpleasant environment. There may be legal recourse if your company has failed to take action after you reported incidents of sexual harassment to the human resources department or another agency. If nothing works out, then you can approach the Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries (BOLI) (State agency) and The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) (Federal Agency) and make complaints regarding the issue.

Discrimination

Have you been discriminated against because of your race, ethnicity, religion, pregnancy, or another legally protected status? Even though there is no standardized test for bias, an attorney can use evidence from your employer’s actions to show that discrimination was the motivating force behind your treatment at the workplace. At Meyer Employment Law, our legal team is ready to obtain the evidence required to establish that your rights have been violated.

Wages and Overtime

If, as a salaried person, you work more than 40 hours a week, you are entitled to overtime compensation. Employers must also pay your salary stipulated in the employment contract. You can also recover lost earnings if you feel you were underpaid for your work with the assistance of our expert employment lawyers in Medford, Oregon.

Retaliation for Whistleblowing

You can’t be demoted, fired, given a pay reduction, or otherwise punished for reporting wrongdoing by your employer. The Whistleblower Protection Act 1989 was passed to protect employees who have been subjected to retaliation by their employers for speaking up about abuses of their legal rights at work. You can count on Meyer’s help if you’re willing to speak up for what you believe in.

At Meyer Employment Law, we will be able to assist you and can represent you in cases involving all kinds of employment issues such as:

  • Age Discrimination.
  • Discrimination based on a person’s disability.
  • Fair Labor Standards Act Issues.
  • Issues related to the Family and Medical Leave Act.
  • Discrimination against Women.
  • Discriminatory hiring Processes.
  • Discrimination based on One’s Country of Birth.
  • Discrimination based on a woman’s pregnancy.
  • Discrimination based on race.
  • Discrimination based on religion.
  • Retirement Benefits issues.
  • Wage and Hour Laws.
  • Protections for Government Whistleblowers.
  • Confidentiality in the workplace.
  • Wrongful Termination.
  • Harassment based on sexual orientation.
  • Discrimination because of Sexual Orientation.
  • Unemployment Benefits issues.
  • Union Member Rights issues.
  • Unsafe Working Conditions.

Importance of an Employment Lawyer in Medford, Oregon

An employment lawyer is a necessity when facing an employment issue. We will mention the reasons here:

  • Be aware of your legal rights.
    Employment law is quite complicated. You may be unsure whether you have a case that warrants further attention. Employment lawyers can examine your circumstances and assist you in making informed decisions about your legal future.
  • Get the Help You’re Looking For
    Taking on your employer, particularly a major one, is a challenge. They likely have a group of lawyers working to keep the corporation safe from any legal ramifications. At Meyer Employment Law, we will always be ready to help you in such times of struggle.
  • Improve the Quality of Your Work
    Making an effort to defend yourself in court without extensive knowledge of employment law can substantially harm your prospects of success. Never take such a risk, instead ask for one of our attorneys here at Meyer, who can help you if you believe your rights have been violated.

Request a Case Evaluation Today!

Resolving an employment law dispute is seldom straightforward. Employment legal knowledge alone is not sufficient. To win a case, you must know how to collect and present the information that supports your claim in a manner that either persuade an employer to settle or persuades a jury to award damages. In the meanwhile, you can be confident that your employer’s legal team will be hard at work refuting your claim.

Make sure your rights aren’t being violated. Meyer has been helping individuals like you for years to get justice when their employment rights have been violated.

FAQs about Employment Law

Is my work environment hostile?

Stressful work environments are typical. You may have to deal with unpleasant or bothersome coworkers. You may work for a boss that constantly yells at you, is impatient with you, and is just a pain to be around. All of this would not be considered a hostile workplace. However, legal recourse is only available to you in certain circumstances; they can include, for example, if your employer frequently throws racial insults at you or threats to terminate your employment if you refuse to perform sexual favors.

My boss inquired whether I had any plans to become pregnant. Is it even legal?

No. Employers are prohibited by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act 1978 from inquiring about an employee’s intentions to get pregnant. Pregnancy-related discrimination against an employee is prohibited by the law. If your rights have been violated in any way, our Medford Oregon employment attorneys can assist you in bringing a discrimination lawsuit against your workplace.

Can I afford a lawyer?

At Meyer Employment Law, we offer a free consultation. You have nothing to lose by scheduling a free consultation with one of our lawyers. The pertinent question here should be: Can I afford not to pay an attorney? We strongly advise you to contact one of our lawyers as soon as possible if your employer has wrongfully terminated you or engaged in other unlawful conduct. We will do an honest appraisal of your case and inform you about your chances of success in negotiations or court.

Can my Medford employer fire me for reporting harassment or unsafe conditions?

Retaliation for reporting harassment, discrimination, wage violations, or safety issues is generally illegal. Employers often try to justify a firing with performance or policy reasons. We look at the full timeline of what happened and whether the real reason was your complaint.

How long do I have to file a wage or discrimination claim in Oregon?

Deadlines depend on the type of claim and where it is filed. Some claims must be filed with BOLI or the EEOC within a matter of months, not years. Because these timelines can be complicated, it is important to talk with a lawyer promptly if you live or work in Medford and think something is wrong.

I already filed a complaint with BOLI. Do I still need a lawyer?

BOLI can investigate and sometimes help resolve workplace problems, but its role is different from a private attorney. We can advise you while a BOLI complaint is pending, help you decide whether to request a “right-to-sue” letter, and pursue additional remedies if appropriate.

What if I can’t afford an employment lawyer?

For most Medford employment cases we handle, you do not pay attorney fees up front. We typically work on a contingency fee, meaning our fee is a percentage of what we recover for you. We can explain how fees would work in your specific situation before you decide whether to move forward.

Do you represent employers?

No. Meyer Employment Law represents employees only. We believe it is important that you know your lawyer is on your side, not trying to balance the interests of companies and workers.

Can you help me if I don’t live in Medford but my job is there?

Yes. We help employees who live in Medford, elsewhere in Jackson County, or in other parts of Oregon but work for Medford employers. Most consultations are by phone or video, and we handle your case in the court or agency that has jurisdiction.

Contact us at Meyer Employment Law for a free case evaluation and speak with one of our experienced employment lawyers in Medford, Oregon.