Even when you are working for an employer that openly encourages you to speak out and tell someone when you feel you have a problem with discrimination or harassment there can often be consequences attached to your action.
Far too often, the tables are turned, and you become a victim as a result of your complaint. This frequently escalates into a situation where you are subjected to workplace retaliation.
You can always get professional help and guidance if you have a workplace dispute like this. You can book a free call with Stevens and Associates, for instance, in order to talk through your case and see what action can be taken.
In the meantime, here is a look at the telltale signs that point strongly to the idea that you are dealing with a case of workplace retaliation. You should not be punished for asserting your rights. However, if these scenarios sound familiar, something needs to be done.
Your career progress comes to a halt
If you notice that you get passed over for a promotion or don’t get a salary raise when expected, these are classic signs that you are being subjected to workplace retaliation.
You are denied a fair opportunity to get a promotion
Getting passed over for promotion once is plausible. However, when you raise the question and get a flat refusal to even discuss the situation that is not acceptable.
Continually being denied the opportunity to be considered for a better role or to move to another department is often due to retaliation after you have made a complaint.
Your employer tries to change your employment terms or suspend you
Employment laws are usually very cut and dried when it comes to what employer actions cross the line of legality.
If you find your employment is suspended or even terminated after you make a complaint you will most likely have a case for claiming retaliation is behind the decision. Talk to a legal professional if that happens.
Your hours are reduced or you get less pay for the same work
Some unscrupulous employers might try to cut your pay or hours as a form of retaliation.
You might have time off for stress, after an incident. You should be entitled to a certain amount of pay and your hours should not be reduced as a result of taking temporary time off.
Your workload increases
Another common form of retaliation is when your employer increases your workload and tries to put more pressure on you to meet unrealistic deadlines.
If you are being specifically targeted with more work than your colleagues that sounds like a case of retaliation.
You are subjected to verbal or physical abuse
You are entitled to feel safe in the workplace. If you start being verbally abused, or worse, physically abused, after raising a complaint this is an obvious sign of retaliation.
Your employer badly crosses the line
Sexual harassment is totally unacceptable under any circumstances. If this behavior starts after you raised a complaint it can be considered a serious breach of trust and one of the worst examples of retaliation possible.
Workplace retaliation takes many forms. Some are subtle, and other forms of retaliation are far more obvious. Either way, you have every right to get protection in the workplace and should not have to suffer in silence.
Talk to a legal professional who understands employment law if you are being subjected to workplace retaliation.
