Experienced Salem, Oregon Employment Attorneys for Wrongful Termination, Discrimination & Wage Claims
If you work in Salem and believe your employer has treated you unfairly, you do not have to navigate the situation alone. Meyer Employment Law represents employees across Salem and throughout Oregon in disputes involving wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage and hour violations. We help you understand your rights, evaluate your options, and pursue the best path forward for your career and your life.
Meyer Employment Law is a plaintiff-side employment law firm. We represent employees only, never employers. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling complex workplace disputes under Oregon and federal law, from early negotiations through trial when necessary.
Employment Attorneys Serving Salem, Oregon Employees
Meyer Employment Law is an experienced Oregon employment law firm that has successfully represented employees in courts and agencies across the state. We understand how stressful it is when your job, income, and professional reputation are at stake. Our role is to give you clear, practical advice and to take on the legal burden so you can focus on your future.
Common matters we handle for Salem employees include:
- Wrongful termination and constructive discharge
- Workplace discrimination (including age, race, sex, disability, religion, and more)
- Sexual harassment and hostile work environment
- Retaliation for reporting misconduct, requesting leave, or asserting your rights
- Wage and hour violations, including unpaid wages, overtime, and misclassification
If you work or live in Salem and have concerns about how your employer is treating you, contact Meyer Employment Law to discuss your situation and your options.
Free Consultation for Salem Employees
Common Workplace Violations in Salem and Across Oregon
Employees in Salem experience the full range of workplace issues that affect workers across Oregon. Some violations are obvious, while others are more subtle and easy to overlook until significant harm has been done.
Examples of common employment law problems include:
- Not paying all wages earned, including commissions, bonuses, or final paychecks
- Failing to pay overtime when you work more than 40 hours in a week
- Misclassifying employees as “independent contractors” or “exempt” to avoid paying overtime or benefits
- Denying legally required meal and rest breaks
- Retaliating against employees who report safety concerns, harassment, discrimination, or wage issues
- Firing or demoting employees after they take protected medical, pregnancy, or family leave
- Allowing harassment or discrimination to continue after it has been reported
Even if your employer says a policy is “standard” or that “everyone does it this way,” that does not mean it complies with Oregon or federal law. If something feels unfair or wrong, it is worth getting legal advice.
Discrimination in the Workplace: Your Rights in Oregon
Oregon and federal laws prohibit employers from discriminating against employees and job applicants based on certain protected characteristics. Unlawful discrimination can affect hiring, promotions, pay, discipline, layoffs, and many other aspects of your job.
Protected characteristics under Oregon and federal law include, among others:
- Race, color, and national origin
- Sex, gender, pregnancy, and gender identity
- Sexual orientation
- Religion
- Age (for workers over 40)
- Disability and perceived disability
- Marital status and family status
- Certain types of off-duty conduct protected by law
Discrimination can be obvious, such as a supervisor making derogatory comments about your race or gender, or more subtle, such as being repeatedly passed over for promotions for reasons that do not add up. Harassment that is severe or pervasive enough to create a hostile work environment can also be unlawful discrimination.
In Oregon, discrimination complaints may involve both state agencies such as BOLI (the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries) and federal agencies such as the EEOC, depending on the facts and deadlines involved. Our attorneys can help you understand where and when to file complaints, what evidence is important, and what remedies may be available, including back pay, emotional distress damages, and, in some cases, punitive damages.
If you believe you have been treated differently at work because of a protected characteristic, or you are experiencing a hostile work environment in Salem or elsewhere in Oregon, we can evaluate your potential claims and explain your options.
Free Consultation for Salem Employees
Serving Employees in Salem, Marion County, and Polk County
We regularly represent employees who live or work in Salem and the surrounding communities, including Keizer, West Salem, South Salem, and other areas of Marion and Polk Counties. Many of our clients work for:
- State agencies and public employers based in Salem
- Hospitals and healthcare systems
- School districts and educational institutions
- Large private employers and small local businesses
You do not need to live in Portland to work with Meyer Employment Law. We routinely represent Salem-area employees through phone calls, video conferences, and secure electronic communication, and we travel when needed for hearings, mediations, and trials.
Why Choose Meyer Employment Law for Your Salem Employment Case
When you are dealing with an employment dispute, the lawyer you choose matters. Our firm focuses exclusively on representing employees in workplace disputes. That focus allows us to stay current on developments in Oregon and federal employment law and to understand how local employers and agencies tend to handle these cases.
Employees in Salem choose Meyer Employment Law because:
- We represent employees only, never employers
- We handle a wide range of employment disputes, from discrimination and harassment to wage claims and retaliation
- We are prepared to negotiate, mediate, or go to trial as your case requires
- We prioritize clear, honest communication about your rights, risks, and options
If you are facing a serious issue at work, we can help you evaluate whether you have a legal claim and, if so, how best to pursue it.
Request a Free Consultation with a Salem Employment Lawyer
Frequently Asked Questions About Employment Law in Salem, Oregon
Can my employer fire me for complaining about unpaid wages in Salem, Oregon?
Employers are generally prohibited from retaliating against employees who raise good-faith concerns about unpaid wages, overtime, or other wage and hour violations. If you were disciplined, demoted, or fired after reporting wage issues in Salem, you may have a retaliation or wrongful termination claim under Oregon law. An employment attorney can review the timing and documentation to help determine your options.
Do I have a wrongful termination claim in Oregon if I was fired without a reason?
Oregon is generally an “at-will” employment state, which means employers can terminate employees for many reasons, or even no stated reason at all. However, they cannot fire you for an illegal reason, such as discrimination, retaliation, or for exercising certain legal rights (for example, taking protected leave or reporting harassment). The absence of a stated reason is sometimes a red flag and may warrant a closer look by an employment lawyer.
What should I do if I am being sexually harassed at work in Salem?
If you are experiencing sexual harassment, consider documenting incidents in writing, saving any relevant texts or emails, and reviewing your employer’s reporting policies. In many cases, you may need to report the harassment internally to give the employer a chance to address it. However, every situation is different, and reporting can feel risky. Speaking with an employment attorney before or after reporting can help you understand your rights, potential protections, and next steps.
Can my employer retaliate against me for reporting discrimination or harassment in Oregon?
No. Oregon and federal laws generally prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who, in good faith, report or oppose discrimination or harassment, file complaints with agencies, or participate in investigations. Retaliation can include termination, demotion, reduced hours, undesirable assignments, or other actions that would discourage a reasonable person from speaking up. If your treatment at work changed after you reported a problem, it is important to get legal advice quickly.
Do I need to live in Salem to hire Meyer Employment Law?
No. We represent employees across Oregon. Many of our clients work in Salem or nearby communities but live elsewhere in the state, and we routinely handle cases remotely using phone and video meetings. What matters most is where you work and where the events occurred, not your home address.
If you are looking for an employment law attorney in Salem, Oregon, contact us for a free consultation.
