Q&A

What happens if you file a retaliation complaint in the workplace?

What happens if you file a retaliation complaint in the workplace?

If you decide to file a workplace discrimination or harassment complaint, it is important to keep this information to yourself. Many people who file retaliation claims say that they are given the “cold shoulder” by coworkers who are aware of the complaint.

Can a boss retaliate against you in the workplace?

This could mean that your boss is unlawfully retaliating against you for going to bat for your coworker. Many employees who file workplace retaliation claims say they are verbally abused by someone in a management position.

Are there laws to protect employees from retaliation?

Most people know that laws exist to protect employees from discrimination and harassment. However, many don’t know these laws also protect employees from retaliation. That means employers cannot punish employees for making discrimination or harassment complaints or participating in workplace investigations.

Can a company be held liable for retaliation?

If your employer does not adequately enforce a rule stating that verbal abuse will not be tolerated at the office, or if employees do not adhere to these anti-harassment policies, your employer could be held liable for retaliation. Say you are a female presenting a new strategy to the rest of the marketing team.

How to document a retaliation claim in the workplace?

Follow these tips for stronger workplace retaliation documentation: You don’t have a workplace retaliation claim without being able to prove you participated in a protected activity and your employer knows about it.

When does an employee have a right to retaliation?

Federal law protects employees from retaliation when employees complain — either internally or to an outside body like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) — about workplace discrimination or harassment.

How to prove retaliation in a discrimination lawsuit?

However, retaliation still happens; in fact, more that a third of the discrimination charges filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in the past few years include a retaliation claim. If you file a lawsuit for retaliation, you’ll have to prove three things: You engaged in a protected activity.

Is it true that retaliation is the most common issue?

Over the past decade, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has reported that retaliation is the most common issue alleged by federal employees and the most common discrimination finding in federal sector cases.