Wrongful Termination Lawyer & Employment Law in Riviera Beach, Florida

Introduction: Riviera Beach’s Dynamic Workforce

Riviera Beach, Florida—a coastal city in Palm Beach County with the bustling Port of Palm Beach, a thriving marine industry, and a steady tourism sector—employs thousands of workers in hospitality, logistics, public safety, and municipal services. Whether you work on one of the city’s charter boats, in a waterfront hotel, or at a local tech start-up in the city’s Opportunity Zone, you are protected by state and federal employment laws. This comprehensive guide, written from a slightly employee-friendly perspective, explains how to safeguard your Riviera Beach workplace rights, recognize common violations, and determine when to contact an employment lawyer Riviera Beach Florida.

Understanding Your Employment Rights in Florida

Florida’s At-Will Employment Rule

Florida follows the at-will employment doctrine, meaning an employer may terminate an employee at any time for any reason—or no reason—so long as the reason is not illegal. Illegal reasons include discrimination, retaliation for protected activity, or termination in violation of an employment contract. Key exceptions include:

• Statutory Protections: Termination based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age (40+), disability, or genetic information violates the Florida Civil Rights Act (Fla. Stat. § 760.01–760.11) and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000e).

• Retaliation: Firing an employee for reporting wage theft, discrimination, OSHA violations, or filing a workers’ compensation claim can constitute unlawful retaliation.

• Public Policy: Florida courts recognize limited public-policy exceptions, such as refusal to commit an illegal act.

• Contracts & Handbooks: Written employment contracts, collective bargaining agreements, and sometimes explicit handbook provisions can override at-will status.

Key Federal and State Statutes Protecting Riviera Beach Employees

• Florida Civil Rights Act (FCRA): Mirrors Title VII but also covers employers with 15+ employees. Allows administrative filing with the Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR).

• Title VII: Prohibits discrimination by employers with 15+ employees.

• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Sets minimum wage, overtime, and child labor rules.

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Requires reasonable accommodations and bars disability discrimination.

• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA): Offers up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for certain medical and family reasons to eligible employees.

Common Employment Law Violations in Florida

1. Wrongful Termination

Wrongful termination typically stems from discriminatory or retaliatory motives. In Riviera Beach, examples include firing a deckhand for reporting unsafe working conditions at the marina or dismissing a hotel employee after she lodges a sexual harassment complaint.

2. Wage & Hour Violations

• Unpaid Overtime: Hourly employees must receive 1.5x their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek under the FLSA.

• Tipped Employee Misclassification: Employers at waterfront restaurants cannot pay the lower tipped wage unless tips actually bring workers to the Florida minimum wage.

• Off-the-Clock Work: Requiring employees to prep charter boats before clocking in or answer guest calls after shifts may violate the FLSA.

3. Discrimination & Harassment

Discrimination may be overt—such as refusing to promote a dockworker because of his Haitian national origin—or subtle, such as consistently assigning fewer hours to older servers at a beachside café.

4. Retaliation

Retaliation claims are among the most frequently filed with the EEOC. Examples include lowering schedules, demotions, or discipline after an employee requests ADA accommodations or files an OSHA complaint.

5. Denied Leave

Qualifying workers must receive FMLA leave. Termination for taking leave to care for a sick child at St. Mary’s Medical Center may contravene federal law.

Florida Legal Protections & Employment Laws

Florida Minimum Wage & Overtime

Florida’s minimum wage automatically adjusts annually. As of 2024, it is $12.00 per hour, scheduled to reach $15.00 by 2026 (Art. X, §24, Fla. Const.). Employers must post the updated rate in a conspicuous place. Overtime rules track the FLSA.

Equal Employment Laws

The FCRA prohibits discrimination in compensation, work assignments, and termination. Claims under the FCRA can be filed directly with the FCHR or dual-filed with the EEOC. Unlike Title VII, the FCRA allows for punitive damages up to $100,000.

Reasonable Accommodation under the ADA

Employers must provide reasonable accommodations unless doing so poses an undue hardship. Common accommodations include adjusted schedules for chemotherapy treatments at Palm Beach Health Department clinics or installing assistive software for visually impaired municipal clerks.

Whistleblower Protections

• Florida Private Whistleblower Act (Fla. Stat. §448.102): Prohibits retaliation against employees who disclose or refuse to participate in illegal activities.

• Florida Public Whistleblower Act: Safeguards state and local employees—including those working for the City of Riviera Beach—from retaliation for reporting wrongdoing.

Statutes of Limitations

• Title VII & ADA: File with EEOC within 300 days; lawsuit must be filed within 90 days of receiving a right-to-sue letter.

• FCRA: 365 days to file with FCHR; lawsuit can proceed after 180 days if FCHR has not issued a determination, but must be filed within one year of the administrative conclusion.

• FLSA: Two years (three if willful) from the date of the last violation.

• Retaliation & Contract Claims: Four years under Fla. Stat. §95.11(3).

Steps to Take After Workplace Violations

1. Document Everything

Keep copies of pay stubs, schedules, personnel files, emails, and text messages. Florida law permits employees to request and copy their own payroll records.

2. Use Internal Channels

Many Riviera Beach employers maintain written anti-discrimination policies. Report the violation in writing to HR or your supervisor and retain a dated copy.

3. File an Administrative Charge

• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): You can start the process online, by mail, or at the EEOC Miami District Office, which covers Palm Beach County.

• Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR): File within 365 days via the agency’s portal or by certified mail.

• Wage Complaints: Submit a claim with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division or file directly in federal court after required notice.

4. Observe Filing Deadlines

Missing a deadline can bar your claim. An employment lawyer Riviera Beach Florida can calculate the correct limitations period.

5. Mitigate Damages

Continue to seek employment and keep records of job applications. Courts may reduce back-pay awards if you fail to mitigate.

6. Protect Against Retaliation

Retaliation is unlawful even if the underlying complaint is ultimately unsubstantiated so long as you had a reasonable, good-faith belief that the violation occurred.

When to Seek Legal Help in Florida

Indicators You Need an Attorney

• You received a right-to-sue notice and must file within 90 days.

• The employer has offered a severance agreement or release of claims.

• You suspect systemic discrimination, requiring class-wide relief.

• Your wages or tips total thousands of dollars in dispute.

• You are a city employee covered by immunity and notice rules.

Choosing the Right Counsel

Florida attorneys must be members in good standing of The Florida Bar. Verify licenses on the Bar’s website. Out-of-state lawyers must obtain pro hac vice approval under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.510.

Contingency Fees & Costs

Many wrongful termination and FLSA cases proceed on a contingency fee basis—no attorney’s fee unless you recover. However, court costs and expert fees may still apply.

Local Resources & Next Steps

EEOC official website – Information on discrimination charges and online intake. Florida Commission on Human Relations – File FCRA claims and track investigations. U.S. Department of Labor FLSA page – Wage and hour guidance. Florida Department of Economic Opportunity – Unemployment benefits and CareerSource Palm Beach County office locations.

CareerSource Palm Beach County

The nearest workforce center is located at 3400 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach, about 6 miles from Riviera Beach. CareerSource offers job placement, resume assistance, and training grants.

Small Claims & Mediation

For disputes under $8,000, Palm Beach County small-claims court offers a faster resolution process. The Palm Beach County Bar Association provides low-cost mediation and lawyer-referral services.

Legal Disclaimer

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Employment law is complex and fact-specific; you should consult a licensed Florida attorney regarding your individual situation.

If you experienced workplace discrimination, wrongful termination, or wage violations, call Louis Law Group at 833-657-4812 for a free case evaluation and employment consultation.