At Jackson Spencer Law, we’ve seen strong employment cases crumble and weak ones flourish. The difference? Avoiding these five critical mistakes that can sink your claim before it even starts.
Mistake #1: Confusing “Unfair” with “Illegal”
Your boss is a nightmare. They play favorites, make unreasonable demands, and create a toxic atmosphere. Here’s the hard truth: being a terrible manager isn’t illegal.
What won’t win your case:
- General jerk behavior
- Workplace nepotism
- Disagreeing with your political views
What will: Discrimination based on your protected class status (race, gender, age, disability, etc.) with concrete evidence and measurable damages.
Mistake #2: Skipping the Paper Trail
Think HR complaints are pointless? Think again. A well-crafted complaint serves two powerful purposes: it might actually solve your problem, and it creates bulletproof evidence of retaliation if things go south.
The EEOC is crystal clear: employers cannot retaliate against employees who report discrimination or harassment. But your complaint needs to be factual, specific, and professional—not an emotional rant.
Pro tip: Learn how to submit an HR complaint that actually works, and discover proven strategies for addressing discrimination in the workplace.
Mistake #3: Giving Them a Reason to Fire You
Even if you’re feeling discriminated or retaliated against, you must keep doing your job as best you can and follow policies. You can get into hot water and undermine your legal protections if you start “phoning it in” or engage in “quiet quitting,” if you use unprofessional language or conduct, even while complaining about illegal discrimination, or if you violate company policies like taking confidential information.
Smart move: Be the best employee you can be. Let them make the mistake of firing you on false pretenses.
Mistake #4: The Fatal Resignation
Nothing torpedoes an employment case faster than quitting. The moment you resign, you’ve eliminated the employer’s liability for damages. No termination = no lost wages = no case.
It’s always best to stay in your role, attempt an amicable resolution, create a well documented paper trail, and try to resolve the situation – while getting advice from a great employment law firm like Jackson Spencer Law
Stay the course: Remain employed while you document everything, file complaints, and build your case. Let them fire you—that’s when the real damages begin.
Mistake #5: Choosing the Wrong Legal Team
Getting blindsided by massive legal bills while you’re unemployed? That’s adding insult to injury. Smart employment lawyers understand you’re already financially vulnerable.
At Jackson Spencer Law, we use a contingency fee structure: we only get paid when you get paid. We absorb the financial risk, not you. No shocking invoices, no upfront costs, no surprises.
Some firms will happily run up billable hours regardless of your outcome. We’ll actually decline cases rather than drain your savings on a fishing expedition.
Ready to protect your rights without risking your financial future? Request a free consultation or call us at 972-301-2937. Let’s turn your workplace nightmare into the strong case it deserves to be.
