When Work Goes Wrong

About When Work Goes Wrong

What happens when the place that pays your bills threatens your career, your reputation, or your livelihood? When Work Goes Wrong is the podcast from Stockwell Law Firm that takes on real stories of workplace injustice, and breaks down what happened, what the law says, and what employees can do about it. These are stories of workers who were pushed out after speaking up, denied opportunities because of their past, discriminated against because of who they are, or retaliated against for doing the right thing. Stockwell Law Firm takes you inside their cases, cuts through the legal jargon, and shows what it can look like to stand up to an employer, and move forward. Because when work goes wrong, knowing your rights can be the first step toward taking back your power.

Publisher

Stockwell Law Firm

Category

business · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

14 Sept 2026

Latest episode

20 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

7 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 Oct 2026

   When Work Won’t Let Go of Your Past Mistakes: Tim’s Story

   Tim had a criminal background, but over the course of two decades, he rebuilt his life. He had a good job and a stable life when a recruiter from a competing company approached him about a new opportunity. Tim was upfront about his background and was assured it wouldn’t be a problem. The company made him an offer, and relying on that offer, he gave notice at his job. Then, just days before he was scheduled to start, the company rescinded it. In this episode of When Work Goes Wrong, Stockwell Law Firm takes you inside Tim’s unusual breach of contract case involving a rescinded job offer. We explain how at-will employment affected his legal options, why contract cases focus on financial losses rather than emotional distress, and how persuasive legal authority can support a claim when there is no binding case directly on point. You’ll also hear how Tim preserved the emails and text messages documenting what happened, found legal support after multiple attorneys declined his case, and ultimately reached a settlement through negotiation without filing a lawsuit. Listen to When Work Goes Wrong to hear what happened, what the law says, and what employees can do when they leave a secure job based on an employer’s promise—only to have that promise withdrawn. Need Help With Workplace Discrimination, Retaliation, or Wrongful Termination in Washington State? If you left a job in reliance on a new employer’s offer and the company later withdrew it, you may have legal options. Learn more or contact Stockwell Law Firm, serving employees throughout Seattle and Washington State, at stockwelllawfirm.com (https://www.stockwelllawfirm.com/).

2. 

   13 Oct 2026

   When Work Retaliates After You Report Sexual Harassment: Melissa’s Story

   Melissa was placed on a performance improvement plan and given more work, more travel, and more scrutiny. But when her performance improved, her employer found another reason to fire her. After nearly seven years at a large national bank, Melissa began experiencing age and sex discrimination under new leadership. After she reported that an intoxicated executive had pulled her onto his lap at a conference, and that rumors were spreading about the encounter, she was placed on a performance improvement plan. She improved her numbers but remained on the plan for more than a year while receiving additional territories, heavier travel demands, and increased scrutiny. In this episode of When Work Goes Wrong, Stockwell Law Firm takes you inside Melissa’s age discrimination, sex discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination case. Stockwell Law Firm explains how comparators are used to show unequal treatment, how performance improvement plans can be used to push employees out, and what an arbitration agreement can mean for an employee’s legal options. You’ll also hear how Melissa documented what was happening, challenged a large corporation, and reached a settlement shortly before her case was scheduled for arbitration. Listen to When Work Goes Wrong to hear what happened, what the law says, and what employees can do when discrimination and retaliation threaten their careers. Need Help With Wrongful Termination Based on Discrimination and Retaliation in Washington State? If you’ve experienced wrongful termination based on discrimination and retaliation, you may have a legal claim. Learn more or contact Stockwell Law Firm, serving employees throughout Washington State, at stockwelllawfirm.com (https://www.stockwelllawfirm.com/).

3. 

   6 Oct 2026

   When Work Leads You to Fight for Workers: The Stockwell Law Firm Story

   Chris Stockwell didn’t take a traditional path to becoming a workers’ rights attorney. After dropping out of high school, he spent years in low-wage and semi-skilled jobs, from working in restaurants to working as an EMT, before eventually going to college and law school. Those experiences gave him a firsthand understanding of workplace power imbalances and shaped his decision to fight for workers’ rights. Laura Porto Stockwell came to the work from a very different direction. She spent nearly 30 years in corporate America, building a career in technology, communications, and strategy and gaining a firsthand view of corporate culture and workplace power dynamics. With a background in futures studies, she now works as the firm’s Director of Strategy & Operations and as a paralegal while attending law school, where her interests center on the future of work and AI ethics. In this episode of When Work Goes Wrong, Laura and Chris interview each other about the very different paths that brought them to Stockwell Law Firm, and the experiences that continue to shape how they think about work and workers’ rights. Together, they discuss some of the forces reshaping work today, including tech layoffs and reductions in force, mandatory arbitration agreements, declining private-sector union membership, and the growing impact of AI on employment. Listen to When Work Goes Wrong to meet the people behind Stockwell Law Firm, hear the experiences that shaped their approach to workers’ rights, and learn why they believe employees deserve a fighting chance against powerful employers. Need Help With Workplace Discrimination, Retaliation, or Wrongful Termination in Washington State? If you’ve experienced workplace discrimination, retaliation, harassment, wrongful termination, or another violation of your employment rights, you may have a legal claim. Learn more or contact Stockwell Law Firm, serving employees throughout Seattle and Washington State, at stockwelllawfirm.com (https://www.stockwelllawfirm.com/).

4. 

   29 Sept 2026

   When Work Punishes You for Speaking Up: Charlotte’s Story

   Charlotte was told her position had been eliminated; except the company had already split her job into two new roles, and posted them one day before giving her the news. As a marketing director at a telecommunications company, Charlotte noticed patterns of sex and race discrimination in how women of color were treated. She also raised concerns when she was asked to participate in marketing activity she believed could violate FCC rules. Shortly afterward, she was included in a reduction in force and prevented from accepting another position within the company. In this episode of When Work Goes Wrong, Stockwell Law Firm takes you inside Charlotte’s wrongful termination, discrimination, whistleblower activity, and retaliation case. Stockwell Law Firm explains why a good-faith complaint can be protected activity, how employers may disguise a termination as a role elimination, and why saving job descriptions and new job postings can provide important evidence. You’ll also hear how Charlotte’s case was resolved through mediation, and why she believes standing up for herself was the right thing to do. Listen to When Work Goes Wrong to hear what happened, what the law says, and what employees can do when speaking up puts their livelihood on the line. Need Help With Workplace Discrimination, Retaliation, or Wrongful Termination in Washington State? If you believe you’ve experienced wrongful termination based on discrimination, whistleblower activity, or retaliation, you may have a legal claim. Learn more or contact Stockwell Law Firm, serving employees throughout Seattle and Washington State, at stockwelllawfirm.com (https://www.stockwelllawfirm.com/).

5. 

   22 Sept 2026

   When Work Punishes You for Talking to Your Coworkers: Jack’s Story

   Jack knew he had the right to speak up at work. His employer fired him for it, and put the reason in writing. As a radio host living with PTSD, Jack experienced disability discrimination and increasingly hostile treatment from his boss. When he began talking with coworkers about changing workplace conditions, activity protected under federal labor law, management told him to stop. Each time he asserted his rights, the situation escalated until he was terminated. In this episode of When Work Goes Wrong, Stockwell Law Firm takes you inside Jack’s wrongful termination, disability discrimination, and retaliation case. Stockwell Law Firm Stockwell explains how protected concerted activity applies even outside of union organization, why workplace bullying alone does not necessarily create a hostile work environment claim, and how unlawful conduct must be connected to a protected characteristic or activity. You’ll also hear how the firm pursued Jack’s claims without filing a lawsuit, ultimately reaching a settlement that allowed him to move forward, return to school, and prepare for a career helping people experiencing addiction. Listen to When Work Goes Wrong to hear what happened, what the law says, and what employees can do when speaking up puts their livelihood on the line. Need Help With Workplace Discrimination, Retaliation, or Wrongful Termination in Washington State? If you believe you've experienced wrongful termination due to disability discrimination, protected behavior, or retaliation at work, you may have a legal claim. Learn more or contact Stockwell Law Firm, serving employees throughout Seattle and Washington State, at stockwelllawfirm.com (https://www.stockwelllawfirm.com/).

6. 

   15 Sept 2026

   When Work Makes Being Gay a Problem: Sam’s Story

   Sam thought working at a gay bar would mean working in a place where he belonged. Instead, his supervisor told him he preferred working with straight bartenders and tried to intimidate him. Sam documented what was happening and repeatedly reported his supervisor’s hostile behavior to management. The supervisor was eventually fired, but the retaliation against Sam continued. He was given unfavorable shifts, denied opportunities promised to him, iced out by management, and ultimately fired after putting his employer on notice that he believed he was experiencing retaliation. In this episode of When Work Goes Wrong, Stockwell Law Firm takes you inside Sam’s hostile work environment and wrongful termination based in sexual orientation discrimination and retaliation case. Stockwell Law Firm explains how discrimination can occur between members of the same protected class, when harassment becomes a hostile work environment, and why an employer’s response after receiving a complaint can create additional legal claims. You’ll also hear how Sam documented his experience, reached a settlement through mediation, and found the courage to stand up for himself and other queer service workers. Listen to When Work Goes Wrong to hear what happened, what the law says, and what employees can do when harassment and retaliation threaten their livelihood. Need Help With Workplace Discrimination, Harassment, Retaliation, or Wrongful Termination in Washington State? If you believe you’ve experienced wrongful termination based in sexual orientation discrimination and retaliation you may have a legal claim. Learn more or contact Stockwell Law Firm, serving employees throughout Seattle and Washington State, at stockwelllawfirm.com (https://www.stockwelllawfirm.com/).

7. 

   14 Sept 2026

   When Work Goes Wrong

   Work is where we build careers, relationships, and even part of our identity. But what happens when work goes wrong? When Work Goes Wrong, from Stockwell Law Firm, explores real workplace stories involving wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation, and other employment issues. Each episode breaks down what the law says and helps employees better understand their rights at work. Subscribe to When Work Goes Wrong to hear real stories and practical insights about navigating difficult workplace situations.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings