Many people worry about job security, especially when they are experiencing workplace harassment or discrimination. Employees should be aware that they cannot be punished for “protected activities,” such as reporting harassment. Yet, workers may still face workplace retaliation despite these legal prohibitions.
As such, it is important to be aware of common signs of workplace retaliation.
1. Removed projects
An employer may remove an employee from a large project unexpectedly. This employee may have been working on the project for months before they were removed. If this happened just after the employee filed a harassment report, this could be a form of retaliation.
2. Poor performance review
Employers may attempt to punish an employee by giving them a poor performance score. This can make it seem as though the employee has not been working efficiently, which could be used as an excuse to fire the employee.
3. Reduced team communication
An employee may suddenly find that they were removed from important email chains or group discussions. This could be a result of an employer trying to limit what information their employee knows.
4. Altered job role
An employer may try to alter their employee’s role. This could be done to make it harder for an employee to perform their duties or limit what duties are assigned to them.
5. Excessive micromanagement
Employees may notice that their employer is suddenly giving more criticism on projects. This could be a way for an employer to push an employee to leave the business.
Proving you are a victim of workplace retaliation can be difficult. You can get help by reaching out for professional legal guidance. Learning how to respond to workplace retaliation effectively can potentially protect your livelihood.