Lafayette and West Lafayette are home to one of Indiana’s largest universities, major manufacturing plants, regional hospitals, and a growing logistics sector. Wherever you work in Tippecanoe County, Indiana and federal law protect you from discrimination, retaliation, unpaid wages, and unlawful firing. This guide explains the most common workplace issues we see and where Lafayette employment cases are handled.
Amber Boyd Law is based in Indianapolis and represents employees across Indiana, including Lafayette and Tippecanoe County, remotely and by appointment.
Common workplace problems in the Lafayette area
Discrimination. Treating employees differently because of race, sex, pregnancy, age (40+), disability, religion, or national origin is illegal. Learn more about workplace discrimination.
Wrongful termination. Indiana is an at-will state, but you cannot be fired for an illegal reason, such as discrimination, retaliation, or taking protected leave. See when a firing is illegal in Indiana.
Unpaid wages and overtime. Shift work and production jobs often raise off-the-clock work and overtime problems. See our guide to unpaid wages in Indiana.
Medical leave. University, hospital, and manufacturing employees frequently need FMLA leave for their own health or a family member’s. Read our Indiana FMLA guide.
Harassment and retaliation. Reporting harassment or a safety problem is protected. See our pages on sexual harassment and retaliation.
Where Lafayette employment cases are handled
- Federal court: Lafayette and Tippecanoe County are in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, which has a Lafayette Division.
- State court: State-law employment claims from the area are typically filed in Tippecanoe County courts.
- Discrimination charges: These are generally filed first with the EEOC’s Indianapolis District Office or the Indiana Civil Rights Commission. An EEOC charge is generally due within 300 days, and an Indiana Civil Rights Commission complaint generally within 180 days. Our guide to choosing between the ICRC and the EEOC explains the difference.
Communities we serve near Lafayette
We work with employees in Lafayette, West Lafayette, Battle Ground, Dayton, and throughout Tippecanoe County and the surrounding area.
What to do if you have a workplace problem
- Write down what happened, with dates and names.
- Keep copies of pay stubs, schedules, reviews, and emails.
- Report harassment or discrimination in writing, following your employer’s procedure.
- Do not sign a severance agreement or release before getting advice.
- Act quickly. Some deadlines are short.
Workplace issues by industry in Greater Lafayette
Higher education. University employees, including staff, researchers, and graduate workers, face issues ranging from discrimination and harassment to retaliation for raising concerns. Public university employees can have additional protections. See our guide to teacher and education employee rights in Indiana.
Manufacturing and automotive. Production work often involves mandatory overtime, rotating shifts, and attendance point systems. Common problems include unpaid overtime, discipline for absences that should be protected leave, and retaliation after safety complaints.
Healthcare. Hospital and clinic workers often deal with long shifts, missed breaks, and requests for disability or pregnancy accommodations.
Logistics and warehousing. Quota systems, misclassification, and wage deductions are frequent issues.
Fired after a workplace injury?
If you were fired for filing a workers’ compensation claim, Indiana law recognizes that as an exception to at-will employment. See our guide to public policy wrongful termination in Indiana. You may also have rights under the FMLA or the ADA if the injury requires leave or accommodations.
Overtime and shift work
Non-exempt employees must be paid time and a half for hours over 40 in a workweek, including time spent in pre-shift meetings, required safety gear changes in some cases, and work during unpaid breaks. See our guide to unpaid overtime in Indiana.
Employees commuting from surrounding counties
Many people who work in Lafayette live in surrounding counties such as White, Carroll, Clinton, and Montgomery. Where your case is filed generally depends on where you worked and where the employer is located, not where you live.
Preparing for your first evaluation
Bring a timeline of what happened, your offer letter or contract, recent pay stubs, any performance reviews, and copies of key emails or messages. Our guide on what to bring to an employment law evaluation has a full checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a lawyer located in Lafayette?
No. Employment cases in Indiana are often handled remotely, and federal cases are filed in the court that covers your county. What matters is experience with Indiana employment law.
How much does an employment lawyer cost?
Your first evaluation with Amber Boyd Law is free. Many employee-side cases can be handled on a contingency basis. See what an employment lawyer costs.
Which court would hear my case?
Federal claims from Tippecanoe County generally go to the Northern District of Indiana. State claims are typically filed in Tippecanoe County.
I work in Lafayette but live in another county. Does that matter?
Usually not for your rights. Where a case is filed generally depends on where you worked and where your employer is located.
What should I do first if I think I was fired illegally?
Write down a timeline while it is fresh, save documents you are entitled to keep, and get advice before signing any severance agreement.
Talk to an employment lawyer serving Lafayette
If you are facing a workplace problem in Lafayette or anywhere in Tippecanoe County, request a free case evaluation. You can also read about our work for employees in Indianapolis.
This article provides general information about Indiana and federal employment law. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
