Retaliation

WHAT IS RETALIATION?

Have you been punished after cooperating in an investigation of your workplace or making claims of discrimination or harassment against your employer? If so, there are laws in place that are specifically designed to protect you from these types of retaliatory behavior on the part of your employer. In fact, workers need to be safeguarded in these cases because the consequences can be both upsetting and damaging. Unfair punishment from your employer can take a number of forms that include the following:

• Demotion;
• Firing;
• Denying your request for a transfer or raise;
• Failing to offer you relevant training opportunities;
• Reassigning your shift or job responsibilities;
• Giving you an unfair performance evaluation.

These tactics can be much more than disturbing. They can deprive you of opportunities, lower your morale and lead to anxiety and stress. No one should have to put up with workplace punishment.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO HIRE THE RIGHT ATTORNEY FOR RETALIATION

It can sometimes be difficult to determine on your own if you have a legitimate case against your employer in this area. That is why it is so essential to hire a lawyer with relevant expertise. A good employment attorney will look at all of the components of your case in order to determine whether it makes sense to move forward. These elements include the evidence that you were retaliated against as well as what harm it caused you in terms of your work and your mental state. Evidence must show that you received or witnessed punishment, you engaged in a protected activity, your employer punished you as a result and you were harmed in some way. The original protected activity that you complained about does not actually need to be found to be discrimination or harassment as long as your lawyer can prove that you believed in good faith that it was. Navigating these complexities is best done by a qualified legal professional.

HOW CAN AN ATTORNEY IN RETALIATION HELP ME AND PROTECT MY RIGHTS?

Many of us spend at least one-third of our lives at the workplace. The relationships we cultivate there can have a profound effect on our professional growth, health and well-being. If you see or experience wrongful situations such as discrimination or harassment, make a complaint about them and are punished by your employer as a result, you should obtain assistance from an employment lawyer. This person will assess the legitimacy of your case, help you gather as much supporting evidence as possible and interact in writing with your employer and other affected parties to ensure that your concerns are not swept under the rug as so often happens. In a time and place where emotions frequently run high, having a legal professional on your side is invaluable.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE A CASE OR CLAIM?

Winning this type of lawsuit will be difficult if all you have is a vague suspicion that your boss doesn’t like you as much as she did before you complained about not, for instance, being paid as much as a colleague doing the same job as you have purely on the basis of race. The more evidence you have, the better are your chances of prevailing. Because it isn’t always easy for a layperson to know what is and is not considered evidence, it is to your advantage to enlist the expert services of an employment lawyer. This person understands the intricacies of state and federal laws and can use prior experience in these cases to help you win yours.

The employment law experts at the Lee Legal Group have the knowledge and experience to help you achieve the results you deserve. No one should have to work in a hostile environment or have their opportunities reduced simply because they saw or experienced something and brought it to the attention of a supervisor. Call us today for a free consultation, and we will partner with you to evaluate your claim and get you the justice to which you are entitled.