Every employee has the right to a professional environment that is free from discriminatory or harassing treatment. When a worker experiences mistreatment from a co-worker, employer or other person connected with his or her work, it can be mentally and emotionally traumatic. Each person who experiences this type of reprehensible behavior has the right to speak up and seek to make it stop once and for all.
Harassment comes in various forms. Sometimes it is because of a person’s gender, while at other times it may be because of religion, sexual preference or even age. Regardless, no one has to endure harassment in silence. It is appropriate to report harassment and the existence of a hostile work environment to the proper authorities. However, some employers do not react well to this.
Did you experience retaliation?
As the victim of harassment in your workplace, you have the right to report it. However, this can lead to complications for employers, and they may react negatively toward the employee. Retaliation is any type of negative treatment or discrimination directed toward an employee because he or she reported misconduct in the workplace.
Retaliation can come in many different forms. You may not even be sure that what you are experiencing counts as retaliation. While every situation is different, you may be dealing with this type of unfair treatment if any of the following have happened to you:
- Your employer publicly reprimanded you for something minor or for no reason.
- Your performance evaluation was undeservedly and unexpectedly poor.
- Your employer transferred you to a less desirable position at your place of work.
- You have been experiencing undue and unreasonable scrutiny while at work.
- Your employer or others at work have been gossiping about you or saying untrue things about you.
- You think your employer is doing things to intentionally make your work more difficult.
These are only a few examples of how you could experience retaliation after reporting harassment. This is as serious as the harassment itself, and you do not have to suffer alone. You may find it beneficial to reach out and seek the guidance of a Florida employment law attorney regarding the next steps for you.
It is possible to hold liable parties accountable for harassment or retaliation you experienced at work. It can be a daunting prospect, but with the right help, you can seek appropriate damages, hold your employer accountable and make sure this type of treatment does not continue.
