Employees go to work to get their job duties done and earn their required pay. None of them should have to deal with hostile or unsafe working conditions. When there are issues that are problematic, such as failure to comply with workplace safety regulations, harassment, discrimination or a refusal to follow labor laws, the employees may opt to file a complaint.
Employees who file complaints and any who opt to participate in the investigation that will follow are protected against employer retaliation. This is meant to provide them with protections that enable them to feel more comfortable filing factual complaints.
What are some examples of employer retaliation?
Employer retaliation is any negative employment action that the employer or one of its representatives takes in direct response to the protected activity. This can encompass a variety of actions, including:
- Reducing work hours or pay
- Termination
- Moving to a less desired location or shift
- Unnecessarily negative performance reviews
- Refusal to notify about meetings or events
It’s important to note that employees who participate in a protected activity are only protected in connection with the protected activity. They can still face disciplinary measures if those measures are in response to breaking company policies and the same discipline would apply to any other employee who broke the same policy.
Any employee who’s the victim of retaliation has the ability to file complaints against the employer. These matters can become complex, so it’s best for them to work with someone familiar with these matters.
