The different types of workplace retaliation

As an employee, you are automatically immune from being subject to any type of revenge from your employer. While you could be fired for several reasons, it is not acceptable for you to be fired, or have any type of negative action taken against you, for simply making a complaint or reporting behavior that you thought was inappropriate.

If you believe that you have become a victim of workplace retaliation, you must be aware that retaliation can take many different forms. You should also know what you can do to protect yourself from this behavior.

Retaliation and sexual harassment

If you have been recently harassed by another co-worker, you likely felt pressured by their demands. For example, if your boss kept trying to spend time with you outside of working hours, to which you refused, they may have insinuated that agreeing to their requests could be good for your career. If you were demoted after refusing to spend additional time with your boss, this will likely be classed as a form of retaliation in addition to sexual harassment, and you should consider taking action to get justice.

Retaliation and whistleblowing

Similarly, employees may be subjected to negative actions as a result of whistleblowing. If, for example, you witnessed unsafe practices being exercised in your workplace, you may have reported your company to a governmental agency. If your employer directly or indirectly punished you because of this, you could accuse them of retaliation.

If you do not adequately address workplace retaliation, your career may suffer as a result. This is why it is so important that you take swift action to report workplace retaliation.