Employment anti-retaliation laws protect employees. State and federal laws give employees the freedom to report discrimination or sexual harassment in the workplace. Employees are free to report discrimination or sexual harassment through the reporting channels at work, or through the appropriate governmental agency such as the Minnesota Department of Human Rights (“MDHR”) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”).

It is illegal to retaliate against employees who file for workers’ compensation, take Family Medical Leave under the FMLA or other leave laws, or because they are a whistleblower (meaning they reported or refuse to do something they believed was illegal).

Sadly, employment retaliation (sometimes called reprisal) is common. Instead of being treated fairly, employees who report issues are seen as a “troublemakers” or set up to fail. Retaliation can occur in many ways. For example, employers often retaliate after a report of discrimination by engaging in the following:

• • • Change in hours
    • Demotion
    • Sudden criticism after a long time with no performance or disciplinary issues
    • Unwarranted scrutiny
    • Unfair or inaccurate performance reviews
    • Termination or “job elimination”
    • Retaliation against a family member
    • Harassment

If you believe you may be experiencing retaliation or discrimination at work and would like to learn more about reporting it, contact us today.  If you have already reported discrimination and believe you may be experiencing retaliation or harassment at work, contact us to learn how to protect your rights.  We will happily discuss your legal options with you.