Retaliation at work is when an employer punishes an employee for doing something that is legally protected. What makes it really terrible is how difficult it is to prove since no one would willingly say that they are retaliating against somebody at work for something they were allowed to do legally. For example, an employee might be punished for complaining about harassment or discrimination.
It comes in many forms from making the atmosphere at work toxic to unlawful termination. It’s important to know the signs that something isn’t right so you can take steps to do something about it such as finding somebody advocating for fair employment practices. In this article, we will go over several signs so you can quickly identify what is happening.
Changes in Job Responsibilities
If your job has dramatically changed then this could be a sign. If your job suddenly becomes more difficult right after you’ve reported harassment or discrimination, it’s not just a coincidence. It’s a red flag.
Your job changing can take a few different forms. You might find that your tasks have become less important or more difficult. Maybe you used to handle key projects, but now you’re given routine, less challenging work. Or, the opposite can happen. Your workload increases dramatically, making it nearly impossible to keep up.
The reason for doing this is because the employer knows they can’t fire you since it would be too obvious that it happened as retaliation. Instead, they are trying to set you up for failure, so you quit instead.
Negative Performance Reviews
Getting a negative performance review can happen to anybody. On its own it doesn’t throw up a red flag. However, there are times when it can.
For instance, if you are usually getting good performance reviews and have never faced any kind of disciplinary actions but suddenly you get a negative review, it could be a sign. The criticism could be about something vague and not specific. Or, it could be something that didn’t actually happen.
These reviews can have serious consequences. They might affect your chances for promotions, raises, or even lead to more disciplinary actions. Make sure to keep any record of the negative reviews and any past positive reviews that could help make a case that it is related to retaliation.
Hostile Behavior
Sometimes the retaliation escalates into something less subtle than changes in your job or negative reviews. If you start getting threats or other hostile behavior it is time to take note and have a strategy to deal with it.
You may be getting threats to be fired, or that you are going to have your pay or hours cut. If these are done in front of others, then make sure to get their statements about it on record. Document every incident, including dates, times, and details of what happened and who was present.
Make sure to follow proper protocols such as filing a complaint with your HR department. After this, if nothing changes you should seek professional help.
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