What Constitutes Retaliation at Work?

Retaliation at work can take many forms. Under California law, it is illegal for an employer to retaliate against an employee for engaging in protected activity.

What is Protected Activity?

Protected activity includes filing a complaint or testifying about discrimination or harassment, requesting a reasonable accommodation for a disability, and participating in an investigation of workplace misconduct.

It is illegal for an employer to retaliate against an employee for engaging in any of these activities. If you have been retaliated against at work, you should contact an experienced employment attorney to discuss your case.

What Are Some Examples of Retaliation?

Some common examples of retaliation include:

Demotion
Reduction in hours
Transfer to a less desirable position
Denial of promotion
Disciplinary action

These are just some examples of ways that an employer might retaliate against an employee. If you have experienced any adverse action at work after engaging in a protected activity, such as complaining about harassment or discrimination, you may have a claim for retaliation.

Retaliation can also take the form of more subtle actions, such as:

Ostracism
Verbal abuse
Increased scrutiny
Unwarranted criticism
Sabotaging work

These types of retaliatory behavior can be just as harmful as more overt forms of retaliation, and can also be illegal.

If you have experienced retaliation at work, it is important to speak to an experienced employment law attorney who can help you protect your rights. An attorney can help you determine whether the actions you have experienced constitute illegal retaliation, and can help you take the necessary steps to hold your employer accountable.

Protecting employees from retaliation is a key part of California’s employment laws. If you have experienced retaliation at work, you may be entitled to relief under the law. An experienced employment law attorney can help you understand your rights and take the necessary steps to protect them.