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Dealing with employer retaliation in the remote work era

One significant advantage of remote work is the flexibility it has given workers and employers. It also brings new challenges. 

For many California employees, working from home can make it harder to notice when an employer is treating them unfairly. Understanding how retaliation can happen while working remotely is important for employees who want to protect their rights.

How companies can hide retaliation in remote environments

Retaliation is when an employer punishes an employee who took a legally protected activity. For instance, a manager may be angry after a subordinate files a complaint. This illegal payback can take unique forms when employees work from home, and the retaliatory behavior could be less obvious than in a traditional office setting. 

One example is digital exclusion. An employer might leave an employee out of important video meetings or email chains and claim the reason was technical difficulties. This can make it harder for the employee to do their job and be a form of retaliation.

Another way retaliation happens is through unfair performance reviews. An employer might start criticizing an employee’s work after they raise concerns about workplace issues. Since remote workers don’t have as many face-to-face interactions, it can be harder for them to defend themselves against unfair evaluations or show that these reviews are actually a form of punishment.

How to document retaliation while working from home

Because remote work makes it harder to spot retaliation, California employees need to be extra careful about keeping records. A person can start by saving all work-related communications, including emails, chat messages, and video call details if possible. 

After engaging in a protected activity, like reporting harassment or discrimination, an employee may want to keep track of any work assignment changes, missed meetings, and negative performance reviews. It’s also a good idea to keep a log of work hours and tasks. 

This can help if the employer claims there was a dip in productivity, which might be an excuse to retaliate. After noticing patterns of unfair treatment, an employee should write down each instance with dates and details.

Any type of retaliation is illegal and unacceptable in the workplace. By staying alert and documenting everything, remote workers can protect themselves in a digital work environment.