Employment Law
Employment Law Help: Protecting Your Workplace Rights
If you’re facing unfair treatment at work, our experienced employment law attorneys are here to help. We assist employees in navigating complex workplace issues.
- Serving Tuscaloosa workers
- Since 2004
- Legal experience
- 25+ years
- Recovered for clients
- Millions
- Case review
- Free
Employment Law Basics
What employment law covers
Employment law is the set of federal and state rules that protect you on the job — how and when you are paid, how many hours you work, how you are treated, and whether you can take leave without losing your position.
When an employer skips overtime, pays late, misclassifies workers, discriminates, or retaliates, those laws give you a way to recover what you are owed and hold the company accountable. An employment lawyer helps you figure out which protections apply and how to use them.
Who We Help
You may have a claim if…
If any of these sound familiar, it’s worth a free conversation. You don’t need to know the law — that’s our job.
- You regularly work more than 40 hours a week but aren’t paid overtime
- You’re called “salaried” or an “independent contractor” but work like an hourly employee
- Your paychecks are late, short, or missing hours you worked
- You were fired or disciplined after complaining, reporting a problem, or taking leave
- You’re treated differently because of your race, gender, age, or disability
- You’re facing sexual harassment or a hostile work environment
- You were denied benefits, PTO, FMLA, or sick leave you were entitled to
- Your co-workers are dealing with the same pay problem
How We Help
Workplace issues we handle
Get the legal support you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us help protect your workplace rights!
Wrongful Termination
Fired unfairly? We fight for your rights.
Unpaid Overtime & Wages
Not receiving overtime or pay for hours worked? We’ll ensure you get what you’re owed.
Late or Missing Paychecks
Employers must pay on time — if they don’t, we hold them accountable.
Denied Benefits
If you’ve been unfairly denied health, retirement, or other benefits, we can help.
Leave & Vacation Disputes
Confused about your PTO, FMLA, or sick leave rights? We’ll clarify and defend them.
Workplace Discrimination
If you’re facing unfair treatment due to race, gender, age, or disability, we’ll fight for justice.
Unsafe Work Conditions
You deserve a safe workplace — if your employer isn’t providing one, we’ll take action.
Sexual Harassment
You have a right to a work free from harmful and uncomfortable treatment. Let us take action for you!
Know Your Rights
Do I Have an Employment Law Issue?
If you're experiencing any of the situations below, you may have rights under federal or state employment laws. These are common workplace issues we help employees with.
Pay and Overtime Issues
- Unpaid wages
- Overtime not paid
- Off-the-clock work
- Improper deductions
- Misclassification (employee vs. contractor)
Discrimination or Harassment
- Treated differently because of a protected characteristic
- Harassment at work
- Hostile work environment
- Unequal pay
Retaliation
- Punished for reporting concerns
- Demoted, disciplined, or fired after speaking up
- Negative changes in your work conditions
Termination or Disciplinary Actions
- Wrongful termination
- Unfair discipline
- Performance issues used as a pretext
- Denied a job or promotion
Leave and Employment Benefits
- Denied FMLA leave
- Retaliation for taking leave
- Issues with medical or other employment benefits
- Pregnancy-related discrimination
Other Workplace Concerns
- Unsafe working conditions
- Violations of company policy or employment laws
- Changes to job duties
- Any other situation that doesn’t feel right at work
Not Sure If Your Situation Is a Legal Issue?
We're here to help. Contact us for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your situation and understand your rights.
Retaliation
What Counts as Workplace Retaliation?
Retaliation happens when an employer takes a negative action against you because you engaged in a protected activity. It's illegal, and you may have rights under federal and state employment laws.
- Step 1
You Engage in a Protected Activity
You exercise a legal right or report a suspected violation, including:
- Reporting discrimination or harassment
- Filing a complaint with HR or management
- Participating in an internal investigation
- Filing a charge or lawsuit (e.g., EEOC, DOL)
- Requesting reasonable accommodations
- Taking FMLA leave or other protected leave
- Speaking up about unsafe working conditions
- Refusing to engage in an illegal activity
- Step 2
Your Employer Takes a Negative Action
After you engage in a protected activity, your employer takes an action that can adversely affect your job, such as:
- Termination
- Demotion
- Reduction in pay or hours
- Loss of benefits
- Unfavorable job assignments
- Disciplinary action or written warnings
- Exclusion from meetings or opportunities
- Increased scrutiny or unfair performance reviews
- A hostile work environment
- Step 3
The Two Are Connected
Retaliation occurs when the negative action is linked to your protected activity.
You don’t have to prove the employer said, “This is because you spoke up.” Retaliation can be shown through:
- The timing of the actions
- Differences in how you were treated compared to others
- A pattern of negative behavior
- Comments or other evidence showing a connection
Common Examples
Being fired after reporting harassment
Losing hours or pay after filing a complaint
Being excluded from meetings or projects
Receiving sudden negative reviews after speaking up
Being passed over for a promotion after participating in an investigation
Facing increased scrutiny or a hostile work environment after requesting leave or accommodations
Think You May Be Experiencing Retaliation?
Every situation is unique. Contact us for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your situation and understand your rights.
Why Hardin & Hughes
Why workers choose Hardin & Hughes
Focused experience on the side of employees — not corporations.
Wage & overtime focus
David Hughes is one of the Southeast’s most successful wage and overtime rights advocates, with a practice built on FLSA claims.
Individual or group claims
We handle single-employee cases as well as class and collective actions for groups of similarly situated workers nationwide.
Federal court experience
Admitted in the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Alabama, plus the Northern District of Illinois and District of Colorado.
Client-focused
Our focus is always you — our client. When you win, we win.
How It Works
Three steps from question to action
- Step 1
Tell us what happened
Call or send the free case review form. Share what you can — pay stubs, schedules, and messages help, but aren’t required to start.
- Step 2
Get a straight answer
We review your situation, explain which laws apply, and let you know how we can help before you decide anything.
- Step 3
We pursue what you’re owed
We take on your employer — individually or alongside co-workers — so you can focus on your job and your family.
Trusted Help
What clients say about us
We strive for total client satisfaction no matter your legal difficulties.
“Hardin & Hughes helped me get the money I was owed. They were very attentive and made me feel confident my case was important and being taken care of!”
Tiffany M. “David and H&H helped me and my co-workers get the overtime pay for our long hours that we deserved but that our employer didn’t pay us.”
Jacob C. “Me ayudó Hardin & Hughes a recuperar dinero de mi empleador. Estoy muy agradecida por ellos.”
Cecilia R.
Straight Answers
Worried about taking action?
These are the concerns we hear most from workers. Here’s the honest answer to each.
- Will my employer retaliate against me?
- Federal laws including the FLSA and Title VII make it illegal to retaliate against employees who assert their rights. If your employer does retaliate, that can become a separate claim.
- I’m on salary — doesn’t that mean no overtime?
- Not necessarily. Whether you’re exempt from overtime depends on your actual job duties and pay, not just your title or being paid a salary.
- Can I afford a lawyer?
- Your case review is free. We’ll tell you how we can help and talk through next steps before you make any commitment.
- Is it too late to do something?
- Deadlines are strict. FLSA claims generally must be filed within two years (three for willful violations), and discrimination charges in Alabama usually must reach the EEOC within 180 days. Reach out as soon as you can.
This page provides general information, not legal advice. Every situation is different — contact us to discuss yours.
Owed wages or overtime? Find out in one call.
Tell us about your issue and we’ll let you know how we can help — free.
- Experience
- 25+ years practicing
- Education
- BA, JD — University of Alabama School of Law
Founding Partner
David A. Hughes
With over twenty-five years of legal experience, Attorney David Hughes has established himself as one of the Southeast's most successful wage and overtime rights advocates. As a founding partner of Hardin & Hughes, LLP, he has recovered millions of dollars for hardworking clients and their families through individual cases and class action lawsuits across the nation.
Dedicated Advocate for Employee Rights
David has represented thousands of employees in cases against companies involving employment, consumer, and other rights violations. His practice focuses on vindicating the rights of individuals who have been wronged by corporations, with particular expertise in:
- Wage and overtime claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
- Class and collective actions for groups of similarly situated workers
- Employment law litigation across multiple jurisdictions
Experience & Background
After graduating from The University of Alabama in 1991 and The University of Alabama School of Law in 1994, David began his career at Smith, Spires, and Peddy in Birmingham. He later served as in-house counsel at Healthsouth Corporation, specializing in acquisitions and contract law.
In 2001, David returned to Tuscaloosa as a partner at Watson, deGraffenried, Hardin, & Tyra before co-founding Hardin & Hughes in 2004 with Chuck Hardin.
Professional Credentials
- Member of the Alabama State Bar since 1994
- Admitted to practice in the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Alabama Federal Courts
- Also admitted to the Northern District of Illinois and District of Colorado Federal Courts
Dedicated to Protecting Employee Rights
David Hughes has built his career on advocating for workers and holding corporations accountable when they violate wage and employment laws. His track record of success, deep legal knowledge, and commitment to justice make him a trusted advocate for employees nationwide.
If you believe your employer has violated your rights, contact David A. Hughes today for a consultation.
Free Case Review
Protect your workplace rights
Get the legal support you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us help protect your workplace rights.
FAQ
Employment law questions
My employer did not pay me overtime. Can an employment lawyer help?
Yes. Attorney David A. Hughes focuses on wage and overtime claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and has recovered millions of dollars for hardworking clients and their families.
Can my co-workers and I bring a claim together?
Hardin & Hughes handles class and collective actions for groups of similarly situated workers, in addition to individual cases.
What workplace issues does Hardin & Hughes handle?
Wrongful termination, unpaid overtime and wages, late or missing paychecks, denied benefits, leave and vacation disputes (PTO, FMLA, sick leave), workplace discrimination, unsafe work conditions, and sexual harassment.