How to tell if you are subject to employee retaliation

Employee retaliation occurs when an employer wrongfully punishes an employee for such things as reporting an issue or speaking out against an unfair practice in the workplace. Laws against retaliation exist so that employees are not afraid to alert the proper authorities when they believe something is happening in their place of employment that should not be. However, it can be difficult to tell whether or not an employer’s actions are the direct result of this whistleblowing.

Here are some ways to tell if you are subject to employee retaliation in your California workplace.

Your superiors exhibit sudden changes in behavior

It is a fact of life that not all workers get along with their managers. Clashes in personality can occur, and sometimes, people simply do not like one another. However, if there is a sudden negative change in how your superiors treat you after you report a protected issue in the workplace, it could be a sign that retaliation is in your future. Changes in behavior may include watching you more closely than usual and handing out unwarranted verbal reprimands.

Your job position changes

Changing an employee’s position to one that pays less or that has less authority is another common form of retaliation. Sometimes, employers may do this as a stepping stone to cutting an employee’s position altogether.

The better able you are to recognize signs of employee retaliation, the better able you are to take steps, such as filing a complaint, to protect yourself and your source of income.