Retaliation refers to an employer punishing an employee for taking action against illegal activity in the workplace, such as discrimination, harassment, safety code violations, fraud, and more.  Some acts of retaliation can include termination of employment, demotion, or creating a hostile work environment.  Both federal and state laws prohibit retaliation against employees who engage in protected activities. 

In order to recover damages under the retaliation laws, you will need to show (1) that you engaged in a protected activity; (2) that your employer took an adverse action against you; and (3) that your employer was motivated to take action against you because of your involvement in the protected activity. 

Examples of retaliation include: 

• Termination for filing a sexual harassment lawsuit against your employer;
• Demotion for communicating with HR about employment discrimination; and
  
• Poor performance evaluation after reporting unsafe or unhealthy working conditions. 

You should not be penalized for acting in good faith. If you establish a retaliation claim, you may be able to recover lost wages and benefits, emotional distress damages, and attorneys’ fees. If you were subjected to retaliation by your employer, call us or fill out our questionnaire for a free consultation.  Even if your particular issue is not listed, we can likely help you. Use the “Contact Us Now” link below for a free consultation.