FMLA Attorneys Serving Cleveland Employees
If you’re dealing with FMLA discrimination in Cleveland, we get how heavy and frustrating this can feel. You’re just trying to take care of yourself or your family—and suddenly, your job is on the line. Whether your employer denied FMLA, harassed you for being sick, or wrongful terminated you after FMLA leave, we’re here to stand with you. At Spitz, The Employee's Law Firm, our team of FMLA discrimination lawyers fights for employees across Northeast Ohio who’ve been wronged at work.
Getting hit with retaliation after medical leave isn’t just unfair—it’s against the law. Our FMLA retaliation attorneys offer free consultations and work on a no-fee-unless-we-win basis. That means we only get paid if we recover money for you.
We work with employees in Cleveland and across nearby communities like Parma, Lakewood, Euclid, Strongsville, Mentor, and Elyria. Our reach extends throughout Cuyahoga County and into surrounding counties including Summit (Akron), Lorain (Lorain), Medina (Medina), Geauga (Chardon), Portage (Kent), and Lake (Painesville).
What Does FMLA Discrimination Look Like in Cleveland?
FMLA discrimination happens when an employer retaliates, fires, or mistreats an employee for taking medical leave under the Family Medical Leave Act. This federal law allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks off to recover from serious illness, care for a loved one, or welcome a new child without risking their job.
Unfortunately, some employers see FMLA as a burden instead of a right. They may push you out, treat you differently, or even punish you just for using the leave you’re entitled to. Discrimination for taking medical leave is real—and devastating.
We’ve seen it all:
- A nurse at a Cleveland Clinic branch asked for FMLA to care for her dying father. Her supervisor scoffed, calling her “weak” and saying “this job isn’t for people who can’t separate work and life.” She reported it. Human resources ignored her. When her leave ended, she came back to find her hours cut and schedule changed to nights.
- In Elyria, a warehouse worker needed spinal surgery. He followed procedure, took approved FMLA leave, and returned to find his badge deactivated. When he asked HR what happened, they told him he had “abandoned” his position—even though he had documentation for every day he was gone.
- A young retail employee in Parma was battling postpartum depression. Her doctor signed off on FMLA. But her manager made her life hell—saying she “didn’t look depressed” and accusing her of faking. She was eventually wrongfully fired after a week of calls demanding she “snap out of it.”
- An Akron office worker undergoing chemo was approved for FMLA but got scheduled for critical meetings during every treatment. His boss joked, “I guess we’ll find out if you’re really sick.” Complaints to human resources? Ignored.
- In Medina, a factory worker with chronic migraines had intermittent FMLA. Her supervisor told her that every absence “cost the company money” and started demanding personal medical details. When she said, “Because I’m sick,” she was told, “Then maybe you shouldn’t be here.”
- A Lakewood bank teller took leave to support her autistic son. She came back to find someone new in her role. Management claimed it was “just a shuffle.” Then they demoted her. A month later, she was out.
This kind of FMLA harassment at work isn’t a bad week or a misunderstanding. It’s calculated. It’s cruel. And it’s illegal. If your employer is retaliating against you because you said, “Because I’m on FMLA” or “Because I’m sick,” we can help.
Retaliated Against for Taking FMLA in Mentor, Euclid, or Akron?
If you’re stuck in a toxic work situation after taking medical leave, here’s what you can do: Write everything down—dates, names, conversations, texts. Screenshot messages, forward emails to a personal account, and talk to coworkers who witnessed what happened. If they confirm it, ask them to back you up in writing. But most importantly, if you feel unsafe—leave. Your health and safety come first.
If your employer denied FMLA, forced you to come back early, or wrongfully fired you, talk to an FMLA violation lawyer now. Our Cleveland employment law team offers free consultations and can help protect your rights before it’s too late.
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Real Stories of FMLA Discrimination from Lake County to Lorain
My Lawyer at Spitz Fought Back When I Was Harassed for Being Sick
I had breast cancer. I told my boss I needed time off for treatment, and he rolled his eyes in front of everyone. Then he started calling me “dead weight” in meetings. The jokes kept coming—who’d pick up my slack, how long I’d “milk it.” I went to HR. Nothing changed. When I came back, they fired me. The attorney at Spitz actually cared. They got justice for me. – Carla D., Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, OH
Spitz Lawyer Helped Me When My Boss Denied My FMLA
My mom had a stroke. I did everything right—forms, doctor’s notes, all of it. My employer said no. Told me I had to choose between my job and my mom. I left to care for her. When I came back, my position was gone. The lawyer at Spitz didn’t just know the law—they understood what I was going through. They never stopped fighting for me. – Marcus H., Brunswick, Medina County, OH
Fired After a Miscarriage—Spitz Had My Back
I lost my baby and needed time to recover, both physically and emotionally. My manager said, “Isn’t that just a few days off?” I took FMLA leave anyway. A week later, I got a pink slip in the mail. I was numb. The team at Spitz walked me through every step and helped me hold them accountable. – Denise K., Willoughby, Lake County, OH
Written Up for Being Sick—Then Spitz Stepped In
I have Crohn’s. My flare-ups are intense and unpredictable. I got approved for FMLA, but my manager wrote me up every time I called off—even with medical notes. I felt like I was being set up to fail. The lawyer at Spitz called it what it was: retaliation. They were honest with me and kept me updated the whole time. – Jacob F., Mentor, Lake County, OH
Harassed for Needing Time Off—Until I Called Spitz
I had a serious concussion and couldn’t work safely. I filed for FMLA and thought I was doing everything right. My supervisor started calling me “damaged goods” and told the team I was exaggerating. HR said nothing could be done. I googled “Can I sue for being harassed while on FMLA?”—and found Spitz. Their lawyers knew exactly what to do. – Natasha W., Lorain, Lorain County, OH
Need an FMLA Discrimination Lawyer in Cleveland? Call Us.
Our office is at 3 Summit Park Drive Suite 200, Independence, Ohio 44131. We help workers who are harassed, discriminated, or wrongfully fired for needing time off under FMLA. Consultations are free. You don’t pay unless we win.
Why would my job fire me after I took FMLA? Is that even legal?
If you’re typing that into Google, you already know something feels off. Maybe your boss is acting different. Maybe you were passed up for shifts or told your position “changed.” These are warning signs—and you’re right to ask questions. At Spitz, The Employee's Law Firm, we know the signs. We’re one of the largest law firms in the U.S. fighting for employee rights. Our attorneys have a long history of winning discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination cases. We offer a no-fee guarantee, national recognition from publications like Newsweek, and a human approach. When you call us, you get real answers, real people, and real help.
Whether you work security at a Cavs game, clean hotel rooms near the West Side Market, or stock shelves in a Medina warehouse—we’ve got your back.
Legal Disclaimer: This page is for general info only and doesn’t create a lawyer-client relationship. Every case is different. If your employer denied your FMLA, you were harassed or retaliated against for taking it, or if you got fired after saying, “Because I’m sick” or “Because I’m on FMLA,” speak to an FMLA discrimination lawyer right away to understand your protections under employment law.