Retaliation

The attorneys at Patterson Harkavy work with employees who have faced retaliation for opposing unlawful conduct, filing claims, or participating in workplace legal actions across North Carolina. If your employer punished you because you spoke up against unlawful employment practices or working conditions, you may have been the victim of unlawful retaliation.

If you believe you have been the victim of retaliation for opposing unlawful practices or for your participation in a legal claim about your workplace, contact our attorneys to see if we can help protect your rights.

What is Retaliation?

Unlawful retaliation occurs when an employer punishes an employee for engaging in certain protected conduct related to their attempts to enforce workplace laws or participate in certain protected workplace activities. Unlawful retaliation can include firing, demoting, harassing, or reducing the job responsibilities of employees.

What Laws Protect Employees from Retaliation?

Most federal anti-discrimination laws prohibit employers from retaliating against an employee who took appropriate action to combat what they reasonably believed was unlawful discriminatory conduct. For example, if an employee reasonably believed she was being subjected to unlawful sexual harassment, Title VII prohibits the employer from terminating her for filing a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to report that harassment.

North Carolina’s anti-retaliation law, the North Carolina Retaliation in Employment Discrimination Act (REDA), makes it illegal for employers to retaliate against employees who have complained about violations of their rights under the Wage and Hour Act, OSHA, or the Mine Safety and Health Act. It also bars retaliation against people who have used or who might need to use the state’s workers’ compensation program.

Make an Impact: Protect Your Rights

If you have faced problems at work because you complained about unlawful conduct at your workplace or participated in a legal action against your employer, you have the right to put an end to that negative treatment. You should not be retaliated against because you sought to exercise your rights at work. Patterson Harkavy’s employment discrimination attorneys have helped workers across North Carolina fight back against retaliation by their employers. If you believe you have experienced unlawful retaliation, call Patterson Harkavy toll free at 1-800-458-2541 or contact us online today.