Employer Retaliation Examples
Workplace retaliation can take many forms, including:
- Pay cuts
- Demotions
- Termination
- Other conduct designed to make employees uncomfortable about reporting prohibited behavior
Employees should feel that they can complain about discrimination and harassment without facing punishment from their employer. Workplace protections also extend to whistleblowers who report on fraudulent or other illegal actions carried out by people in positions of authority. If an adverse action has been taken against you for asserting your rights as an employee, it is important to seek advice from a skilled lawyer as soon as possible.
Sometimes, it’s hard to tell whether your employer is retaliating against you. For example, if you complain about your supervisor’s harassing conduct, their attitude and demeanor may change. But if the change means they act more professionally towards you, that isn’t retaliation even if they aren’t as friendly as they once were. Only changes that have an adverse effect on your employment are retaliatory.
What Is An “Adverse Effect”?
It is clear that employment decisions such as firing or demoting an employee, reducing their compensation, or denying them a promotion constitute adverse actions; it is unlawful to take these actions because an employee engaged in protected activity. What is unclear is whether less dramatic actions (such as threats, reprimands, and negative performance reviews) rise to the level of “adverse employment actions.” Contact an employment attorney at Victory Law Group, LLP for a free initial consultation.
Employer Retaliation IS Illegal in California in the Workplace
All retaliation is illegal in the state of California. Retaliation is any negative consequence against an employee with actions such as sexual harassment and racial discrimination. If this happens, an employee may file a wrongful termination/retaliation lawsuit to compensate for their lost wages or damages they may have endured.
If you have been laid off, demoted, your wages were cut or have been discriminated against, the employment attorneys at Victory Law Group, LLP are here to help you receive the compensation you deserve. Call us today for a free initial consultation!
