• Reporting unsafe or unhealthy working conditions. If you have voiced concerns about workplace safety or health hazards, you should not face adverse actions in response to your reports.
• Reporting unlawful harassment or discrimination. Retaliation can take many forms after an employee reports harassment or discrimination. This can include effects include firing, demotion, relocation, reduction in hours, and much more.
• Reporting wage and hour violations. If you are not getting paid for the hours you work or you are not being given uninterrupted meal or rest and breaks and you report it, your employer should not retaliate.
• Taking medical leave. Every employee is entitled to take medical leave, but in some cases, they could face a backlash from their employer which is against the law.
• Reporting fraud. This can happen after an employee reports illegal actions taking place by their employer. The company may take it out on the employee in a variety of ways which could include getting wrongfully terminated or demoted.
• Whistleblowing. If you report illegal activity at your workplace to your supervisor or an outside government agency, you should not be at risk of losing your job. If you are aware of a misuse of government funds, you may be able to stop the misuse and be rewarded. Call us and we can help.
• Taking time off for child birth or illness. The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and California Family Rights Act (CFRA) were created to protect employees from any sort of retaliation after welcoming a new member of the family or dealing with a serious illness or that of a loved one.
• Requesting disability accommodations. You are entitled to request reasonable accommodations for disabilities without facing repercussions.

Seeking Compensation for Retaliation

Victims of retaliation can seek compensation for lost wages, emotional distress and sometimes punitive damages, attorney’s fees and costs. Even where the employee is mistaken (meaning their complaint is not factually valid), they are still protected against retaliation as long as they reasonably believed their complaint was justified.

If you suffered damages as a result of any manner of workplace retaliation, speak with Bluestone Law. There is no risk to meet with us. We get paid only if we win your claim.