Gainesville Employment Discrimination Attorney

Understanding Workplace Discrimination

State, local, and federal employment laws strictly prohibit employers from engaging in discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Attorney Michael O. Massey, with his J.D. earned with High Honors from the University of Florida College of Law, has dedicated his practice to protecting employees from discriminatory practices since establishing Massey & Duffy, PLLC in 2003.

If you have been terminated, denied a promotion, demoted, or discriminated against based on race, religion, gender, age, or disability, you may have grounds to seek compensation through a civil lawsuit. Attorney Massey's extensive litigation experience, which began during his judicial clerkship with Chief Judge Maurice M. Paul in the U.S. District Court, provides him with exceptional insight into employment discrimination cases.

Types of Employment Discrimination We Handle

Drawing on his academic excellence (graduating in the top 10% of his class) and specialized legal training (including an LL.M. in Taxation), Attorney Massey carefully analyzes each employment discrimination case to identify all potential claims:

Protected Characteristics Discrimination

  • Race and Color Discrimination - Adverse employment actions based on racial identity or skin color

  • Religious Discrimination - Failure to accommodate religious practices or discrimination based on faith

  • Gender and Sex Discrimination - Unequal treatment based on gender identity or sex

  • Age Discrimination - Targeting employees over 40 for adverse actions

  • Disability Discrimination - Failure to provide reasonable accommodations or discrimination based on physical or mental conditions

  • National Origin Discrimination - Bias based on country of origin, accent, or ethnicity

  • Pregnancy Discrimination - Adverse actions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions

  • LGBTQ+ Discrimination - Discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity

Discriminatory Employment Practices

  • Discriminatory Hiring - Screening out applicants based on protected characteristics

  • Wrongful Termination - Firing employees for discriminatory reasons

  • Promotion Denial - Refusing to advance qualified employees due to bias

  • Pay Discrimination - Unequal compensation for substantially similar work

  • Benefits Discrimination - Providing different benefits based on protected class status

  • Hostile Work Environment - Allowing pervasive harassment based on protected characteristics

Workplace Harassment and Retaliation

At Massey & Duffy, PLLC, Attorney Massey has extensive experience handling cases involving workplace harassment and employer retaliation, bringing his comprehensive legal background to bear on these complex matters:

Harassment Claims

  • Hostile Work Environment - Pervasive conduct that creates an intimidating or offensive workplace

  • Quid Pro Quo Harassment - Conditioning employment benefits on submission to unwelcome conduct

  • Sexual Harassment - Unwelcome sexual advances, requests, or other verbal/physical conduct

  • Discriminatory Harassment - Abusive conduct based on protected characteristics

Retaliation Claims

  • Protected Activity Retaliation - Adverse actions following discrimination complaints

  • Whistleblower Retaliation - Punishment for reporting legal violations

  • FMLA Retaliation - Negative consequences for using family medical leave

  • Witness Retaliation - Actions against employees who testify or assist in investigations

Disciplinary Actions and Performance Reviews

Facing disciplinary action or a series of negative performance reviews can be a stressful and frustrating experience, especially for employees who have never been disciplined before. Attorney Massey's background in construction litigation and international tax consulting at Deloitte & Touche has honed his analytical skills to detect when disciplinary measures mask discriminatory motives.

If you believe your job is in jeopardy due to discriminatory practices disguised as performance issues, it's important to speak with an attorney who can protect your rights and employment.

How Attorney Massey Can Help Protect Your Job

As an experienced employment discrimination attorney with multiple Book Awards including ones in Evidence and Civil Procedure, Attorney Massey understands how difficult it can be to respond to negative feedback that may be discriminatory in nature. While following up with your employer can sometimes resolve issues, it's not always enough. He can assist in several ways, including:

Immediate Intervention Strategies

  • Challenging Discriminatory Performance Reviews - Identifying bias in evaluations

  • Investigating Employment History Patterns - Uncovering discriminatory trends

  • Analyzing Disciplinary Documentation - Revealing inconsistent application of policies

  • Crafting Strategic Responses - Developing effective communications to employers

  • Documenting Discrimination - Preserving evidence of differential treatment

Proactive Employment Protection

In many cases, Attorney Massey helps clients draft detailed letters to their employers outlining potential discrimination claims. These professional communications often help resolve the issue while protecting the employee's rights. However, if the employer threatens termination, he may escalate the matter by:

  • Filing EEOC Discrimination Charges - Initiating federal investigation of practices

  • Pursuing State Agency Claims - Leveraging local protections against discrimination

  • Negotiating Pre-Litigation Settlements - Securing favorable outcomes without court

  • Preparing Strategic Litigation - Developing compelling discrimination cases for trial

Attorney Massey makes it clear to employers that they may face liability for retaliation if they fire an employee for exercising their rights under anti-discrimination laws.

Evaluating Your Discrimination Case

Drawing on his experience as Senior Research Editor for the Florida Journal of International Law, Attorney Massey thoroughly evaluates potential discrimination claims by:

  • Identifying Protected Status - Determining which legal protections apply

  • Documenting Adverse Actions - Cataloging negative employment decisions

  • Establishing Causal Connection - Linking protected status to adverse treatment

  • Analyzing Comparator Evidence - Examining treatment of similarly situated employees

  • Assessing Pretextual Justifications - Revealing false reasoning for actions

  • Calculating Potential Damages - Determining appropriate compensation claims

Comprehensive Discrimination Case Strategy

If you have been fired or forced to resign due to discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, Attorney Massey utilizes his comprehensive legal background to develop a strategic approach to your case:

Initial Discrimination Assessment

  • Thorough review of employment history and protected characteristics

  • Documentation of potentially discriminatory statements or patterns

  • Evaluation of employer policies and their discriminatory application

Evidence Development

  • Gathering witness statements from colleagues who observed discrimination

  • Securing documentation of differential treatment compared to others

  • Obtaining performance records contradicting alleged deficiencies

  • Preserving communications demonstrating discriminatory intent

Strategic Case Advancement

  • Filing timely administrative charges with appropriate agencies

  • Developing compelling narratives that demonstrate discrimination

  • Preparing for negotiation while building a strong litigation case

  • Calculating comprehensive damages based on documented harm

If you believe you have experienced workplace discrimination, contact Attorney Michael O. Massey at (352) 359-7538 or Massey@352law.com for a confidential evaluation of your case. With his distinguished educational background and commitment to employee rights, he will work to secure the justice and compensation you deserve.