Think your employer broke the law? Know your rights — and get matched, free.
Plain-language help if you were fired illegally, discriminated against, harassed, retaliated against, or shorted on pay — plus a free way to find a licensed employment attorney near you, in your language.
WorkRightMatch is a free matching service, not a law firm, and nothing here is legal advice. You talk to the attorney and decide who to hire.
Your rights at work — in plain language
Whatever your job, your title, or your immigration status, US law gives every worker these protections. If your employer crossed one of these lines, you may have a case.
You can't be fired for an illegal reason
Most jobs are at-will, but firing you because of discrimination, retaliation, protected leave, or whistleblowing is against the law.
You can't be discriminated against
Your employer can't treat you worse because of race, national origin, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, or disability.
You have the right to a harassment-free workplace
Severe or pervasive harassment — including sexual harassment — because of a protected trait is illegal.
You must be paid for all your hours
Off-the-clock work, skipped overtime, kept tips, and below-minimum pay are all forms of wage theft.
You can't be punished for speaking up
Reporting discrimination, harassment, unpaid wages, or unsafe conditions is protected — retaliation for it is illegal.
What happened at work?
Pick what's closest to your situation. Each one explains what's legal, what isn't, and what to do next.
Wrongful termination: were you fired illegally?
Most US jobs are at-will, but firing you for an illegal reason — discrimination, retaliation, taking protected leave, or whistleblowing — is against the law. Learn the signs and get matched with an employment attorney, free.
Learn more →Workplace discrimination at work
Federal and state law protect you from being treated worse at work because of race, national origin, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, or other protected traits. Learn your rights and get matched with an attorney, free.
Learn more →Workplace harassment and a hostile work environment
Severe or pervasive harassment because of a protected trait — including sexual harassment — is illegal. Learn what counts, how to report it, and get matched, free, with a licensed employment attorney near you.
Learn more →Unpaid wages, overtime, and wage theft
If your employer skipped overtime, made you work off the clock, kept your tips, or paid below minimum wage, that may be wage theft. Learn how wage-and-hour law works and get matched with an attorney, free.
Learn more →Retaliation: punished for speaking up
It is illegal for an employer to punish you for reporting discrimination, harassment, unpaid wages, unsafe conditions, or for taking protected leave. Learn the signs of retaliation and get matched with an attorney, free.
Learn more →How WorkRightMatch works
Four clear steps — and you stay in control the whole way.
Tell us what happened
Your situation at work, your area, and how to reach you. Contact and basic details only — never confidential case documents or financial account numbers.
Get matched, free
We connect you with licensed employment attorneys near you, at no cost to you. Many offer a free consultation and take cases on contingency.
Talk it through
The attorney reviews your situation, explains your options and any deadlines, and tells you whether you may have a case. You agree to any fees directly with them.
You choose & decide
You decide whether to hire an attorney and which one. Nothing here is legal advice, and only you and your attorney form an attorney-client relationship.
What a case usually involves — and costs
Every case is different, but here's how the process and the costs usually work. This is general information, not a quote or legal advice.
| Stage | What it usually costs you | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Free consultation | Free | Most employment attorneys review your situation at no charge |
| If they take your case | Often $0 up front | Many work on contingency — paid only if you recover money |
| Filing a claim | Usually covered first | Court or agency costs are often advanced by the attorney |
| If you win or settle | A share of the recovery | On contingency, the fee comes out of what you recover — agreed in writing first |
Fees and costs vary by attorney and by case, and you agree to them directly with the attorney — not with us. This is general information, not a quote or legal advice.
Deadlines can be short — sometimes 180 days
Employment claims have strict filing deadlines, and some are as short as 180 days from when the problem happened. Missing a deadline can permanently end your case. If you think something went wrong at work, it's worth talking to an attorney sooner rather than later.
Workplace rights guides
Plain-language guides to firing, discrimination, harassment, unpaid wages, deadlines, and finding the right attorney.
How we are paid
WorkRightMatch is free for workers. The licensed employment attorneys we match you with pay a flat fee to receive your request. We never take a cut of any recovery, and we never charge you to be matched.
What we are — and aren't
We are a free matching and educational service, not a law firm and not your lawyer. Nothing here is legal advice, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Don't send confidential case documents through this site.
Get matched with an employment attorney — free
Tell us what happened at work and your area. We connect you, at no cost, with licensed employment attorneys near you. Many work on contingency. You decide who to hire.