People have the right to a workplace that’s free from harassment and discrimination. They must be empowered to speak up if anything amiss is going on while they’re at work. While some workers do this without a second thought, others are worried about being retaliated against.
Retaliation is illegal in the workplace. Employers must take steps to ensure that no worker ever experiences this type of negative employment situation.
Retaliation has many forms
There are many different things that are considered retaliation. The key to all of these is that they must be in direct response to a protected activity, such as reporting harassment, discrimination, or a violation of the law. The protections extend to those who participate in investigations into protected activities.
Some of the more common forms of retaliation include:
- Reducing the worker’s hours
- Cutting the worker’s pay
- Moving the worker to a less desirable shift or location
- Making the workplace hostile
- Spreading rumors about the worker
- Terminating the worker
An employer’s policy must strictly forbid retaliation in all forms. Supervisors and members of management should understand exactly what’s not allowed. If you’re being retaliated against by someone in your company, keep a record of the events. Retain any proof you have of the retaliation because it may help your case if you choose to take legal action.
Anyone who believes they’ve been subjected to retaliation should ensure they learn about their options to address the issue. Working with someone who’s familiar with these matters enables you to draw from their knowledge. Be sure you act quickly because there are time limits for handling employment law matters.