If you or someone you know is constantly experiencing employment discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful termination, retaliation, or other unreasonable civil rights violations, then you definitely need the assistance of an experienced workplace retaliation attorney. Workplace retaliation simply means that when an employee reports their supervisor’s or employer’s behavior as illegal, the employee is unfairly punished. In this article, you will discover your options when you experience the same type of scenario.
The Law Offices of Eric A. Shore is an experienced and dependable attorney who can help you with various legal issues. With more than 100 years of combined experience, we are considered one of the best lawyers in Pennsylvania. Our law firm never charges a fee upfront because we only get paid when your case is won. If you need the assistance of an employment lawyer, schedule a free consultation now.
Why do I need a Workplace Retaliation Attorney in Pennsylvania?
Choosing the right employment law office is a crucial step. Keep in mind that your employment lawyer will handle the technicalities of your case. To get the best Philadelphia employment lawyer, consider the following good characteristics:- Excellent Achievements – You deserve an employment lawyer who is professional in their legal accomplishments. Choosing a law firm with a track record of success is the same as selecting one that is competent. Choose lawyers with a good reputation.
- Solid Experience – Employment law is extensively broad and quite complicated to understand. You don’t want to hire an average lawyer who is just starting in the practice area. You deserve someone who has at least a decade of legal experience.
- Provides Assurance – While nobody can assure you that you will win your case, you can get some assurance that your case is in good hands. You have to evaluate the law firm’s background carefully to see how they perform their profession. Choose a law firm that shows competence and wins significant cases. Many employment lawyers claim to be the best; choose the real ones.
What is Workplace Retaliation?
The New Jersey law of the United States encourages every employee to be firm when they believe that their employment civil rights have been or are being violated by their employers or supervisors. Your employer cannot validly retaliate against you for opposing or protesting workplace harassment, discrimination, and other similar violations of your rights within your workplace. The law also covers any form of retaliation against employees who engage in investigations into their employer’s alleged harassment, discrimination, or other illegal conduct. If your employer adversely or negatively affects your employment status as a result of your complaints, your employer is considered to violate the employment law. Your employer cannot retaliate against you as long as you genuinely believe your complaint has a reasonable basis. These types of actions can include:- Termination
- Demotion
- Pay reduction
- Creating a hostile work environment
- Changing hours
- Changing job assignments or duties
- Deprivation of commissions or bonuses
- Deprivation of earned benefits
- Negative performance reviews
- Negative work evaluations
Laws Against Workplace Retaliation
There are several federal, local, and state laws that guarantee the protection of employees’ civil rights in the workplace. Such laws that prohibit workplace retaliation include the following:- Civil Rights Act of 1946 –This law protects several employees’ federal civil rights. It covers employees who complain about discrimination based on race, sex, color religion, or national origin.
- The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act – This law protects employment discrimination. It covers employees who voice out about workplace discrimination based on color, sex, race, ancestry, religious creed, national origin or disability, and age.
- The Age Discrimination in Employment Act – This is a federal law that safeguards the rights of employees who voice out about age discrimination.
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- The American with Disabilities Act –
- The Pregnancy Discrimination Act – This anti-employment discrimination federal law protects employees who voice out about disability discrimination.
- The Fair Labor Standards Act – This federal law safeguards employees who voice complaints about overtime violations and minimum wages.
- The Family and Medical Leave Act – This federal law gives protection to workers who take a leave from being retaliated against.
- The Pennsylvania Whistleblower Law –It is an employment law that falls under state law. It protects several types of employees from retaliation after they report wrongdoings by their employers.
- The Philadelphia Fair Practices Ordinance – This is deemed a city ordinance in Philadelphia, which safeguards certain employers who voice out complaints against racial discrimination, ethnicity, sex, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, marital status, disability, genetic information, family status, sexual or domestic violence, and among others.
I Am A Victim of Workplace Retaliation, What Should I Do?
If you are a victim of workplace retaliation, below are the few important things you can do to prepare for the filing of the lawsuit:- Consult with an experienced employment attorney
- If you have not been terminated, do not resign until you are able to speak with an attorney.
- Inform your company’s human resources department right away.
- If your company has a well-established policy about workplace retaliation, follow it.
- Gather as much evidence as you can. You may include all incidents and communications that resulted in retaliation. Take note of every incident, where and when it happened, who was involved, and who are the possible witnesses.
- Don’t kill your time. Your time period to initiate the lawsuit is relatively short. Contact an experienced employment attorney right away and get started with the process.
