I Reported Sexual Harassment and Now My Employer is Punishing Me: Understanding Retaliation

 Posted on April 19, 2022 in Main

 Being sexually harassed is an incredibly demeaning, embarrassing experience to go through. Whether an individual was the victim of quid pro quo harassment or hostile work environment harassment, the situation likely caused them many sleepless nights. Although it is every worker’s right to be free from discrimination and harassment at work, filing a sexual harassment complaint takes a great deal of courage. Unfortunately, some workers report harassment only to find themselves facing punishment or retaliation from an employer.

If you reported sexual harassment and your employer and/or the person you reported is retaliating against you, you should know that this behavior is unlawful. Retaliation violates state and federal law, and you do not have to tolerate it.

Examples of Retaliation After a Sexual Harassment Report

Imagine the following scenario: A woman has put up with her co-workers’ rude, derogatory, and offensive remarks about her body for long enough. She decides to assert her rights and file a sexual harassment complaint with her employer’s human resources department and end the harassment once and for all. She returns to work the next day only to learn that her work hours have been cut in half.

This type of retaliation is exactly what many workers fear when making a sexual harassment complaint. Although it is illegal to retaliate against an employee who makes a sexual harassment complaint, some employers think they can get away with it.

Retaliation can take many forms. Sometimes, a worker is passed over for bonuses or raises he or she rightfully earned. Other times, an employee is given a less desirable work schedule or fewer work hours.

Retaliation can also involve excluding the worker from training opportunities, giving the worker unjustified poor performance reviews, or transferring the worker to a different department. Some employers try to exact revenge by demoting or even firing an employee who makes a sexual harassment complaint.

What To Do If You Were Retaliated Against

The law protects sexual harassment victims and people who have been witnesses in a sexual harassment investigation from retaliatory actions. If your employer retaliated against you, contact a sexual harassment lawyer for help. You may be entitled to remedies, including monetary damages. Your employer may be forced to reinstate your original position or pay rate.  

Contact Our DuPage County Sexual Harassment and Retaliation Lawyer

Retaliation is against the law. If you were sexually harassed or retaliated against for reporting harassment, contact MKFM Law for help. We can help you assert your rights. Call 630-665-7300 for a free, confidential consultation.

Source:

https://www.eeoc.gov/retaliation