FMLA Leave Denied | employer changed my status to contractor

I publish illustrative scenarios prepared by my practice. All participants and conversations are fictional. The fictional posts are not posts by real users, accounts of client experiences, or reports of actual results.
Illustrative scenario prepared by my practice.
For informational purposes only. This is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.
Hypothetical question

Looking for advice on a legal issue. Here's what happened.

employer changed my status to contractor. I've been dealing with this for about 9 months now and the situation isn't improving.

I have worked at this company for 12 years. My position is exempt and I do not have a written employment agreement beyond the standard offer letter.

Do I have a strong case? What should my next steps be?

Illustrative response

This happened to my coworker too.

The thing that gets people is escalating to a supervisor/manager. I'd recommend following the formal complaint procedure instead.