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How to spot retaliation at work

A Houston employer can’t take action against someone for engaging in protected workplace activity. For instance, if you call attention to an act of sexual harassment, your boss couldn’t respond by terminating your employment. A manager who does engage in harassment may be subject to a variety of penalties including termination.

Examples of retaliation

Terminating your employment is not the only way in which a manager could engage in retaliation. It’s also possible that you will be transferred to another department where you will receive fewer desirable assignments. You may also have your hours changed or reduced in an effort to entice you to quit. Finally, a manager might cut your pay, cut back your vacation time or make it harder to make use of other benefits that you might have earned or be entitled to.

How to prove retaliation occurred

The strength of your evidence will largely determine if your retaliation claims are taken seriously. This is generally true of other employment law issues as well. Evidence may include copies of emails or text messages from your manager admitting that retaliation occurred. It may also be a good idea to gather copies of your performance reviews. Doing so may help to show that actions taken by management were likely linked to something other than an inability to do your job well.

If you are the victim of improper workplace conduct, it may be possible to take legal action. This may include filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or filing a lawsuit on your own. Alternatively, you may want to consider resolving the issue by talking to other supervisors or anyone else who may want to help you obtain a fair conclusion to your matter.