All employees should be free to file complaints about illegal matters at work without having to worry about negative employment actions. These complaints can stem from things like discrimination, harassment, safety violations and similar situations. One thing to remember is that the complaints must be factual.
If the employee makes complaints of this sort, they have the legal right to specific protections. These include not having to deal with retaliation from their employer.
Negative employment actions
Employees can face a host of negative employment actions that might be considered retaliation. These include having their pay or hours reduced, being moved to a less desirable location or shift, being written up or being terminated. In some cases, the retaliation isn’t as obvious. For example, the employee may not be told about important meetings or may be ignored by management. The key is that the negative employment action has to be in response to the protected activity.
Limitations apply
The ban on retaliation has limitations. Employees who aren’t complying with company rules can still face disciplinary actions, including being written up or terminated. It should be the same consequences that any other employee would face if they were caught doing the same activities.
Anyone who’s been subjected to retaliation by an employer should ensure they understand their legal rights. These cases can be complex, so it’s critical to seek assistance with these cases from someone who is familiar with the applicable laws. Our professional team at Licata & Yeremenko, APLC is ready to help, so contact us today.