Workplace retaliation consists of any adverse action by an employer against an employee asserting their right to be free from employment discrimination and harassment. It is against the law for an employer to retaliate against you for engaging in a protected activity.
You may have filed a workers’ compensation claim, reported a harassment incident or assisted in investigations of such claims. These are some examples of protected activities, and your employer should not retaliate against you for participating in them. Here is what you need to do.
The steps to take when facing workplace retaliation
The first thing on your checklist should be documenting the evidence of retaliation. Your employer’s action may be direct or subtle, and it is necessary to show how they amount to retaliation.
The next thing to do is seek an audience with your employer. You can do this by following the internal procedures for addressing such concerns. In some instances, your employer may have valid reasons for their actions. Remember to keep all records of communication between you and your employer regarding the matter.
If nothing happens and you believe you are being punished for exercising your legal rights, it may be time to explore your legal options. For instance, you may initiate legal action against your employer and recover damages for the losses suffered due to their retaliatory actions.
Get the proper help
Employer retaliation has no room in the modern workplace, and there are laws to that effect. Therefore, you should act and protect your legal rights if you have been fired, demoted, reassigned unfavorable shifts or your work environment is becoming toxic due to employer retaliation.
It is best to seek the necessary assistance to analyze your situation and help build your case if you believe you are undergoing workplace retaliation.