Are you experiencing workplace retaliation?

Working in a hostile work environment can make it difficult to do your job and have peace of mind while you are trying to earn a living. There are many different types of behaviors and issues that can lead to a discriminatory or hostile work environment, and one of these issues is retaliation. 

Unfortunately, employees in Texas find themselves being treated differently because they filed a complaint or because they took time off from work, among other reasons. Make no mistake, though: workplace retaliation is illegal. If you experienced this at work, you have the right fight back by taking legal action.

How were you retaliated against?

There are many types of behaviors that could fall into the category of workplace retaliation. It is illegal for employers or managers to retaliate against employees for exercising their rights in any of the following ways:

• Speaking to upper management regarding discrimination in the workplace
• Refraining from orders that may be considered discriminatory
• Acting as a witness in any type of employee rights case or investigation
• Intervening on behalf of others experiencing mistreatment
• Refusing sexual advances from co-workers or those in authority
• Seeking reasonable and rightful accommodations for one's disability or religious practices
• Taking time off for approved family or medical leave

You may not even be certain that what you are experiencing is actually retaliation. Perhaps your employer demoted you, removed you from your position, fired you or treated you unfairly after you reported harassment or other inappropriate things. This is retaliatory action, and it is illegal.

It is frustrating and overwhelming to experience negative treatment for doing the right thing. If you believe that you were the victim of retaliation, talk to an experienced employment lawyer about resolving the issue.

Holding your employer accountable

You have the right to a workplace that is free from harassment, discrimination and other inappropriate treatment. If you experienced retaliation or lost your job after reporting wrongdoing or something that could portray your employer in a negative light, you have the right to pursue compensation for what you experienced. 

If you are unsure of what you should do next, speak with an employment law attorney and learn more about your options.