Experiencing retaliation at your workplace may interfere with your productivity and morale. Putting a stop to illegal behavior might require the intervention of people outside of your employer.
When you know how to respond to retaliation, you can confidently identify a game plan. Taking action right away can help you to protect your rights and your career.
Talk to your employer
Retaliation can take on a lot of forms including threats, demotion, isolation and hostility. According to Indeed.com, retaliation is when your employer takes negative action against you for reporting a complaint or concern. Their actions may leave you feeling confused, inferior, unmotivated and embarrassed.
Once you have identified retaliation, immediately report your concerns to your boss. Sometimes, your employer will admit to having acted inappropriately and apologize to you. However, more commonly, if your employer denies wrongdoing and the actions against you persist, you may need to take your concerns to the next level.
Enlist help from the EEOC
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforces laws designed to protect you against workplace retaliation. If your employer continues to act unethically at your expense, you can file a complaint with the EEOC. You may also consider enlisting the help of a legal professional who can assist you in forming a complaint and taking action against your employer.
Given the impact that retaliation can have on your career, do not hesitate to file a formal complaint. You deserve to work in a safe environment, conducive to productivity and growth. Stopping harassment before it causes worse problems requires your immediate time and attention.