Workplace retaliation?
February 14, 2023
rcromer
What Actions can be Considered Workplace Retaliation?
Workplace retaliation is a serious issue. If an employee has been retaliated against, they may feel like they’ve been picked on, singled out, or
treated unfairly
in some way. It can also be difficult to know whether or not their employer’s or a superior’s actions were actually illegal.
It can take a lot of court processes to end this type of situation, and that’s why business owners and
HR managers
must strive to prevent it. There are so many workplace retaliation examples to learn about so they can be avoided.
In this article, we discuss the following:
The definition of office retaliation
Some workplace retaliation examples
How to prevent retaliation in the workplace
WHAT IS WORKPLACE RETALIATION?
The U.S.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
(EEOC) defines workplace retaliation as “any adverse action taken against an employee because he or she engaged in protected activity.” Protected activity is any activity that is protected under the law, including filing a discrimination or harassment complaint, complaining about an illegal policy or procedure, or making a charge of discrimination to a federal agency.
Office retaliation can also be defined as any action taken by an employer against an employee that is perceived to be in response to the employee exercising a protected right. The most common example of this retaliation is termination, but other things like demotion or reduction in pay can also be considered retaliation.
WHAT ARE SOME WORKPLACE RETALIATION EXAMPLES?
Office retaliation is illegal, and it’s also very common. It happens when an employee is punished for reporting their employer for something they did wrong, or even if you’re just being treated unfairly. There are many different forms of retaliation that can happen in the workplace. Here are some things that could be considered workplace retaliation examples:
1.
Verbal abuse and harassment.
2.
Discrimination based on race, gender, age, and much more.
3.
Denial of promotion opportunities for no reason.
4.
Threatening employees with physical violence or harm.
5.
Firing an employee for no reason.
6.
Demoting employees.
7.
Taking away an employee’s pay or benefits.
8.
Limiting or changing an employee’s job duties without notice.
9.
Giving the ultimatum of accepting a lower position or being let go.
10.
Denying payment for work performed.
11.
Giving false information to a third party who has asked for information about the employee’s performance.
HOW CAN YOU PREVENT RETALIATION IN THE WORKPLACE?
Retaliation in the workplace is a serious issue that can be avoided at all costs by following the right procedures and monitoring superiors and managers alike. Now that we know some of the workplace retaliation examples, let’s look at some steps to take to prevent retaliation in the workplace:
1. Highlight it in the company’s policies:
The first step in avoiding retaliation in the workplace is to address “no retaliation” from the ground up. This simply means including it in all your policies and regulations. All staff members should be well aware of the consequences of retaliating in whatever form within the workplace. This way, you’ll have proof that shows that employees are enlightened on the matter. It will be best to also train staff members about these things, from the highest-ranking office down.
2. Include HR in everything:
HR has a huge role in ensuring that both federal and state laws are properly adhered to. This is why you’ll need to carry them along. When a manager decides to discipline an employee, they should first meet with HR to discuss whether the terms on the ground are worth it. HR can also tell if the reason for discipline is based on retaliation and will instead provide better strategies.
3. Document everything:
Another way to avoid retaliation in the workplace is to ensure that you document all processes between employees and their superiors. This way, a court case can be in your favor if, in reality, there was no retaliation.
CONCLUSION
Workplace retaliation comes in all forms and sizes. It’s an improper way to treat an employee. If you feel like your employer has retaliated against you for exercising a protected right, reach out to your human resources department or contact a legal adviser for consultation.
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