The workplace should be a safe and professional environment for those earning a living, but that isn’t the case for everyone. With discrimination and harassment still occurring in the workplace, even by employers themselves, some employees are living in fear of being retaliated against for reporting these wrongdoings.
Spotting Retaliation
An employer can make retaliation as obvious or covert as they want. This can make recognizing retaliatory actions somewhat difficult.
Here are some examples of the most prominent forms of workplace retaliation made against employees by their employers:
- Being terminated or suddenly laid off
- Reducing pay and benefits
- Physical or verbal threats
- A further increase in illegal behaviors such as discrimination and harassment
- Being excluded from company meetings, events, and events
Although the above examples may be relatively easy to spot, there are some forms of retaliation that can go under the radar for some employees:
- Seeing a reduction in hours
- Experiencing sudden negative performance reviews
- Being denied promotions/raises
- Being transferred to a different location or position
What You Can Do
If you are putting together a report that you believe will warrant retaliation from your employer, there are three main steps to follow to ensure you have the best chance for success in your case.
The first step you should take is to gather all relevant information on the subject matter you are reporting. This includes any and all documentation, text message, email, or any other form of written/electronic communication between you and your employer. This should be done before you file your report as well as the months after you file your report to make sure you have as much information and evidence as possible for your case.
The second best practice to keep in mind is to create a journal to keep track of all illegal actions your employer is taking against you or one of your coworkers. It can help you formulate a timeline of events to help you recount your employer’s actions in the future.
The third step to take when dealing with workplace retaliation is contacting an attorney. At Burnham Douglass Attorneys At Law we are uniquely equipped to aid and assist you with any of your employment law needs.
Get in touch with us today through our website or give us a call at 856-751-5505 to find out how we can help you pursue the justice you deserve.