Retaliation

What is “retaliation”? 

In the workplace, retaliation happens when an employer punishes a worker for reporting discrimination, harassment, or any illegal practice, makes a complaint, or participates in a workplace investigation. Retaliation involves any action that negatively affects the employee at work. Some examples of retaliation actions are:

• Verbal abuse
• Physical abuse
• Dismissal
• Salary reduction
• Job transfer or demotion to a less desirable role
• Attacks on the employee’s reputation
• Threats of reporting the employee to immigration or the police
• Any other intentional action to make an employee’s life at work more difficult

If an employer is determined to be guilty of discriminatory retaliation, they are responsible for providing restitution to the employee which can include front pay for the missed compensation the employee may have gained during the retaliation case, compensatory damages, and back pay. 

What can an employee do if they suspect retaliation? 

If you are an employee and you suspect acts of retaliation against you, the first thing you need to do is talk to a member of your company’s HR team or your supervisor. It must be documented that you raised your concern through the proper channel. Follow the procedure or process set by HR. You may be asked to answer questions about the incident or incidents. 

In case your employer is not willing to respond to your concern or if you think that you are not being accommodated even after making it known to your employer, you can seek help from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).