Florida Employment Law Guide for Jacksonville Employees

12 min read

Introduction: Why Jacksonville Employees Need to Know Their Rights

Jacksonville—Florida’s most populous city with more than one million residents in its metro area—boasts a diverse workforce that ranges from logistics at JAXPORT to healthcare at Baptist Health and the tech operations of global giants like Amazon. Growth is good news, but it also means that disputes over wages, hours, discrimination, and terminations inevitably arise. Understanding Florida employment law in Jacksonville is your first line of defense when something at work goes wrong.

This guide is written slightly in favor of employees. It covers:

• Wrongful termination and retaliation

• Unpaid wages and overtime violations

• Discrimination and harassment

• Statutory filing deadlines and where to file

• Step-by-step action plans if your rights are violated

If you believe your workplace rights have been violated, call Louis Law Group at 833-657-4812 for a free case evaluation.

Understanding Your Employment Rights in Florida

Florida’s At-Will Employment Rule—With Limits

Florida is an at-will state: employers can terminate employees for almost any reason—or no reason—unless that reason violates state or federal law. Exceptions include:

• Discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information, prohibited under the Florida Civil Rights Act (FCRA) and Title VII.

• Retaliation for protected activities, such as reporting illegal conduct, filing workers’ compensation claims, or taking protected leave.

• Public policy exceptions like firing someone for jury duty or military service obligations.

Florida Minimum Wage & Wage-and-Hour Basics

Florida’s minimum wage is adjusted annually for inflation and currently sits above the federal minimum. As of September 30, 2023, it is $12.00 per hour (scheduled to rise to $15 by 2026). Tipped employees must receive a cash wage equal to the tipped minimum plus tips that bring them to at least the full state minimum wage.

Overtime is governed by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), requiring time-and-a-half pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek for most non-exempt employees.

Protected Classes & Jacksonville’s Human Rights Ordinance

Chapter 760 of the Florida Statutes mirrors federal law but also provides a 365-day state filing window for discrimination claims. Locally, Jacksonville’s Human Rights Ordinance expands protection to sexual orientation, gender identity, and marital status—important in a city with a robust LGBTQ+ community.

Common Employment Disputes in Florida

1. Wrongful Termination

Because Florida is at-will, “wrongful termination” must involve a legal violation—typically discrimination or retaliation. Recent Duval County verdicts show juries siding with employees fired after reporting safety issues or filing EEOC complaints.

2. Retaliation for Whistleblowing

Florida’s Private Sector Whistleblower’s Act (Fla. Stat. § 448.102) protects employees who object to or refuse to participate in illegal activity. The statute affords two years to file suit after retaliatory action.

3. Wage & Hour Violations

Logistics hubs and warehouses in Jacksonville often rely on shift work and piece-rate pay, triggering frequent overtime disputes. Under the FLSA, employees have two years (three for willful violations) to recover unpaid wages. Florida’s Minimum Wage Act allows claims within four years (five for willful).

4. Workplace Discrimination & Harassment

Claims under the Florida Civil Rights Act and Title VII must ordinarily be filed with the Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR) or the EEOC within strict deadlines (discussed below). Jacksonville’s diverse population means national origin and religious discrimination claims are particularly common.

Florida Legal Protections & Key Regulations

Critical Statutes

Fla. Stat. Chapter 448 – Wage protections & private whistleblower rights. Read the full text here.

• Fla. Stat. Chapter 760 – Florida Civil Rights Act (discrimination, retaliation).

• FLSA (29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq.) – Federal wage-and-hour law.

• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 – Federal discrimination law.

Agencies & Enforcement

Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR) – State agency that accepts discrimination and retaliation complaints. File online at FCHR Website. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) – Federal agency with a Jacksonville Area Office under the Miami District. More information at EEOC Miami Field Office. Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) – Handles state unemployment benefits & workforce regulations. Visit DEO site.

Filing Deadlines (Statutes of Limitations)

Claim TypeWhere to FileDeadline

Discrimination/HarassmentFCHR365 days from incident Discrimination/HarassmentEEOC300 days from incident (because FCHR is a deferral agency) Whistleblower RetaliationCircuit Court2 years FLSA Overtime/WageFederal or State Court2 years (3 for willful) Florida Minimum WageCounty or Circuit Court4 years (5 for willful) Breach of Written Employment ContractState Court5 years

Steps to Take After an Employment Dispute

1. Preserve Evidence Immediately

• Document everything: dates, times, names, emails, screenshots, pay stubs, and performance reviews. Florida law allows one-party consent audio recordings, but confirm no federal facilities are involved.

• Write a timeline within 24 hours of any incident while details are fresh.

• Secure digital files on a personal device—not your employer’s server.

2. Follow Internal Complaint Procedures

Many claims require that you notify HR or use a grievance process first, or damages can be reduced. Keep copies of every submission.

3. File with the Appropriate Agency

• Discrimination/Harassment: File an intake questionnaire with the EEOC or FCHR. You may dual-file so both deadlines are preserved.

• Unpaid Wages: Send a pre-suit notice letter under Fla. Stat. § 448.110 to allow the employer 15 days to pay before suing.

• Retaliation: Draft a whistleblower complaint and consider serving a notice of claim to preserve state tort remedies.

4. Continue Medical or Mental Health Treatment When Applicable

If harassment or retaliation has caused anxiety, depression, or physical symptoms, seek treatment. Medical records can substantiate emotional distress damages.

5. Consult an Experienced Florida Employment Attorney

Statutes and administrative rules change frequently. An attorney can:

• Calculate damages like back pay, front pay, and statutory penalties

• Ensure filings meet technical requirements

• Represent you in mediations or hearings before the FCHR or EEOC

Louis Law Group offers free consultations statewide. Call 833-657-4812 today.

When to Seek Legal Help in Florida

You should strongly consider retaining counsel when:

• Your termination involves a protected class or protected activity.

• You already filed pro se, and the employer’s counsel contacted you.

• The dispute involves multiple employees (potential class or collective action).

• You signed an arbitration agreement—courts may still provide relief under certain conditions, but strategy is key.

Florida attorneys must be licensed by The Florida Bar and comply with continuing legal education (CLE) requirements. Verify a lawyer’s credentials on The Florida Bar’s public directory.

What Louis Law Group Provides:

• Comprehensive case assessment and statutory deadline tracking.

• Negotiation with employers for severance or reinstatement.

• Contingency-fee representation where appropriate—no fees unless recovery is obtained.

Local Resources & Next Steps for Jacksonville Workers

EEOC Jacksonville Area Office Bisbee Building, 47 Forsyth St. N., Suite 315, Jacksonville, FL 32202

• FCHR (Tallahassee HQ handles statewide complaints, phone & online filing available)

• Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA) – Free or low-cost counseling for qualifying individuals.

• Duval County Clerk of Courts – For filing state court actions.

• CareerSource Northeast Florida – Local partner of the DEO for job placement and training.

Remember, strict deadlines apply. Missing a filing date can extinguish your claim forever.

Take Action Now: If you suspect your employer violated Florida workplace laws—whether unpaid overtime, discrimination, or retaliation—do not wait. Call Louis Law Group at 833-657-4812 for a free case evaluation.

Legal Disclaimer

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change, and each case is fact-specific. Consult a qualified Florida employment attorney for advice pertaining to your situation.