Federal employment laws and state regulations for corporations establish valuable protections for employees. In general, employees should not have to worry about discrimination or harassment at work. Employees have a right to a safe workplace and the chance to report any safety or legal problems.
When employees engage in protected activities, they have legal protection from negative consequences relating to their jobs and can have access to a lawyer if needed. Even though it is illegal under employment regulations to retaliate, many companies yet penalize employees for exercising their right to free speech, taking unpaid holidays, etc. An affected worker could face the following outcomes from unlawful retaliation.
Different strategies of employer retaliation are employed to thwart someone’s career progress.
- Job loss
Losing your job is one of the most direct and harmful ways employers retaliate against employees. This could happen if you report harassment, request medical accommodations, or exercise your rights as an employee. It is a devastating blow because it not only affects your immediate income but also throws you into a stressful job search. Many people end up settling for lower-paying jobs out of necessity when they unexpectedly lose their jobs due to employer retaliation.
- Facing obstacles in accessing better options
If a company decides to alter the schedule of a tipped worker or changes the leads provided to a salesperson, it could significantly reduce their earnings and limit their chances of advancing to higher positions. This restriction imposed by the employer might make it difficult for them to seek better opportunities elsewhere. Despite possibly retaining their job, they will not reap the same benefits as before due to reduced working hours during peak times or receiving fewer lucrative leads.
- Damaging references hindering career growth
Another harmful tactic used by employers in retaliation is providing unfavorable information during background checks or reference calls to other companies. While employers are often expected to refrain from disclosing sensitive details such as health issues or protected activities when verifying employment history or performance, some managers and HR professionals disregard these guidelines. This can tarnish a person’s reputation and make it challenging for them to advance in their career when former employers portray them as unreliable or unprofessional to potential employers.
- Damage to employee’s reputation
Retaliation can harm an employee’s reputation in their field. When employers spread false information or give negative references because of an employee’s protected actions, it can make it harder for them to find new job opportunities. This damage to reputation might affect not only their current workplace but also their relationships within their professional community.
Contact a lawyer
If you face any such situation mentioned above in the blog, do not hesitate to contact your lawyer, as it can affect your life in many ways.