Have you recently reported sexual harassment or discrimination at your workplace? Did you whistleblow unlawful activities at your job? Did you recently suffer an accident at work and file a claim for medical benefits? As a result, you could be at risk of workplace retaliation.
Employers may punish workers who have engaged in legally protected actions. It is important to spot the signs of workplace retaliation. Here is what you should know:
1. Overworking and unrealistic deadlines
Your employer may suddenly ask you to complete a lot more work than usual. You may notice that this work has unusually short deadlines that are realistically impossible to meet. Your employer may be trying to make it appear that you are falling behind on your job when you miss these deadlines.
2. Cut hours and schedule changes
Your employer may retaliate against you by cutting hours when you work or removing you from the work schedule. You may even notice that you are placed on the schedule to work on days you were supposed to have off or that are inconvenient. These changes may be intentional as a form of retaliation.
3. Denied promotion or raise
Your employer may try to punish you by preventing you from earning a promotion or raise. This could happen if you notice you are suddenly given poor performance reviews. Your employer may also deny training to you or allow you to receive certification for a better-paying position.
It is important to protect yourself if you believe your employer is retaliating against you. You may need to document paperwork, conversations or other crucial information when taking legal action. Legal guidance can help you protect your rights.