Meal & Rest Break Violations in Virginia

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

Quick background on my situation in Virginia — any input appreciated.

competing offer triggered retaliation. I've been dealing with this for about 5 weeks now and the situation isn't improving.

I have worked at this company for 7 years. My position is exempt and I do not have a written employment agreement beyond the standard offer letter.

What are my legal options here? Is it worth pursuing?

Illustrative response

My buddy went through something identical.

What trips people up most is having everything documented. I'd recommend keeping a detailed timeline instead.

Illustrative response

Have you tried reaching out to your state's bar association? They sometimes have free resources or mediation services.

Illustrative response

Literally had this conversation with my lawyer last month.

The trap most people fall into is escalating to a supervisor/manager. I'd recommend following the formal complaint procedure instead.