Employment discrimination and harassment can have a devastating impact on people. If you have ever been the victim of workplace harassment and discrimination, you know the emotional and financial toll it can take. When Idaho employers retaliate against workers who speak out, this can make matters even worse.
Retaliation is illegal
The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or EEOC, forbids employers from engaging in retaliation against workers that have taken steps to assert their employment rights. If you file a complaint or speak up about discrimination or assist in a discrimination investigation, these would be considered “protected activities.” Other protected activities include:
- Resisting inappropriate advances
- Refusing to follow discriminatory work orders
- Requesting accommodation for your religion or disability
- Talking to a supervisor about discrimination
- Requesting salary information if you suspect discriminatory wages
Employers cannot retaliate against you for protected activities even if they are found innocent of discrimination. For example, if you file an EEOC complaint that gets rejected, your employer cannot fire you for filing it.
Definition of retaliation
In employment law, retaliation is considered to be a form of discrimination. Retaliation is the disparate treatment of employees that have complained about real or suspected discrimination or harassment. An employer might retaliate against a worker by firing them, demoting them or scrutinizing their work performance more than usual. In some cases, an employer retaliates by using verbal or physical abuse, threats or by spreading false rumors.
What to do if your employer is retaliating against you
If your employer is retaliating against you for protected activities, you may want to file a complaint. You are protected from retaliation even if your original discrimination allegation was unfounded.