There are state and federal laws to protect employees against retaliation. Most employers are aware of these laws, however, this does not mean they are going to abide by them at all times.
If you feel you have been a victim of retaliation, it is important that you are able to prove this. It is your job to show that you were retaliated against in violation of the law.
Although laws vary from state to state, most require that you are able to prove the following:
— That you were a victim of an adverse employment action.
— That the employer is aware that you took a protected activity.
— That you were actively engaged in a protected activity, such as reporting a safety violation or helping a government entity enforce the law.
— That your protected activity led to your employer taking some type of retaliatory action against you.
Along with the above, here is another detail to consider: You should keep track of everything that happens. This includes the action you take and how your company treats you. If you have any evidence, such as an email from a supervisor, it is important to keep this in your records. All this information will come in handy when it comes time to prove you were a victim of retaliation.
These are the types of steps you can take to prove that you were a victim of retaliation. You may not be 100 percent comfortable with what you are doing, but it is imperative to protect your rights at all times.
Source: Workplace Fairness, “General Information About Whistleblowing and Retaliation,” accessed Aug. 26, 2015