Oakland Retaliation Attorney

Firing an employee for asking to take off a religious holiday. Refusing to promote an employee who, a year ago, stood up for a coworker who was being sexually harassed in the office. Giving poor performance reviews to an employee who participated in an investigation into employer wrongdoing. Employer retaliation takes many forms. Retaliation is illegal, however. The Oakland retaliation attorneys of Minnis & Smallets LLP can help you recover lost wages and sue for additional compensation. 

State and Federal Laws Protect Employees From Retaliation

Federal and state law prohibits employers from terminating, demoting, harassing, or otherwise harming the careers of employees for:

• Being a witness in an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) case or investigation;
• Filing an EEOC or DFEH charge, complaint, or lawsuit;
• Raising concerns about workplace discrimination or harassment to a manager or employer, whether or not discrimination or harassment is later proven to exist;
• Answering investigation questions regarding an employer’s alleged harassment;
• Refusing an employer’s orders to discriminate against another;
• Refusing or resisting sexual advances;
• Intervening to protect others from sexual harassment;
• Requesting an accommodation for a disability or religious practice; and
• Asking coworkers, supervisors, or an employer about salary information in order to uncover potential wage discrimination. 

What is Retaliation? 

Any type of harmful or damaging employment decision may be considered retaliation. This includes the following:

• Decreasing the employee’s pay;
• Decreasing the employee’s hours;
• Refusing to give the employee benefits;
• Firing the employee;
• Spreading false rumors about the employee;
• Giving poor performance reviews;
• Making the employee’s work more difficult; 
• Harassing the employee’s family members;
• Threatening to report or reporting the employee to authorities, such as ICE;
• Harassing the employee;
• Threatening the employee;
• Using physical violence or verbal abuse against the employee;
• Refusing to promote the employee;
• Demoting the employee, moving the employee to a different part of the office, or giving the employee inferior assignments or tasks; and
• Much more. 

An Oakland Retaliation Attorney Can Help You File a Lawsuit Against Your Employer 

If you were wrongly fired, demoted, harassed, scrutinized, or threatened by your employer, the only way to be compensated is to file a retaliation claim. The Oakland retaliation lawyers at the Minnis & Smallets law firm can help you make this happen. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.