How Am I Protected from Worker Retaliation?

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If you witness or experience any form of injustice in the workplace, it is important that you bring attention to it. Unfortunately, it is far too often that workers get retaliated against for speaking up. This should not dissuade you from fighting for justice, though. Follow along to find out how federal and state law protects you from worker retaliation and how a proficient New York whistleblower protection lawyer at the Bell Law Group can also come to your defense.

What is considered worker retaliation?

Essentially, worker retaliation can be seen if an employer takes discriminatory action or threatens to take discriminatory action against you, whether you are a current or former employee, after you report any wrongdoing in your workplace. Such discriminatory action may lead to you losing your job or otherwise having your livelihood seriously affected for years to come. Examples of worker retaliation include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Your employer wrongfully terminates you.
  • Your employer wrongfully demotes you.
  • Your employer wrongfully decreases your pay.
  • Your employer begins to harass you.
  • Your employer ruins your opportunities for future employment.
  • Your employer contacts immigration authorities against you, as a non-citizen employee.

How does federal and state law protect me from worker retaliation?

You must understand that federal law and New York State law commend you as a whistleblower, and therefore will protect you from being retaliated against. More specifically, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects you from workplace discrimination if any of the following occurs:

  • If you witness any form of discrimination or illegal activity in the workplace.
  • If you refuse to take part in an illegal activity.
  • If you report an illegal activity that was committed against you.

Then, under Section 740 of the New York Labor Law, you as a whistleblower are protected from many retaliatory actions from your employer if any of the following occurs:

  • If you disclose or threaten to disclose information to your supervisor or a public body (i.e., the executive branch departments of federal, state, and local governments) regarding your employer violating the law, company policy, or company regulations.
  • If you experience your employer putting you in specific danger.
  • If you witness your employer putting others in substantial danger.

Importantly, you are protected by federal and state laws even if you are no longer a current employee at the given employer. With all things considered, you should rest assured knowing that the law is on your side when it comes to calling out any injustice in the workplace. And, do not forget that you also have the support of a talented New York employee rights lawyer. So, do not hesitate in reaching out to our law firm today.

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