Fort Lauderdale Retaliation Lawyers

Experienced & Passionate Legal Representation in South Florida

Do you believe you have suffered retaliation from your employer in the workplace because of various actions you have taken? Employment laws established by both the state of Florida and the federal government prohibit employers from engaging in retaliatory actions against you for certain protected activities you may take as an employee while on the job. Employer retaliation can take many forms and often takes place after you have made a complaint about harassment or other discriminatory behavior you or others may have endured.

Understanding the laws regarding retaliation and what retaliation can consist of is your first step towards handling such a situation. At The Amlong Firm, our employment law attorneys have been standing up for the rights of professionals and employees in the workplace since 1982. Along the way, we have gained considerable experience and validation by legal industry groups for our work in this endeavor. Our Fort Lauderdale retaliation attorneys are not afraid to take any case to court where it is merited and we will put all of our passion, knowledge, and resources to work for you.

Have you suffered workplace retaliation? Get your case evaluated and learn your options by contacting us at (954) 953-5490 or via our online request form today.

What is Workplace Retaliation?

Employer retaliation takes place when you are punished in some way by your boss or employer for engaging in what is referred to as “protected” activity. Protected activity involves the employment rights established for you under federal law, such as the right to be free of workplace discrimination. Protected activity describes those actions you are free to engage in without fear of retaliation or reprisal from your boss.

Examples of protected workplace activities can include:

• Making a good faith complaint about any type of workplace discrimination
• Making a good faith complaint about workplace harassment
• Refusing to follow an employment directive that is discriminatory
• Filing or acting as a witness to a charge, complaint, investigation, or lawsuit concerning a violation of employment law
• Answering questions during any type of workplace investigation into violations of employment law
• Resisting or protecting yourself or others from workplace sexual harassment
• Asking for valid workplace accommodations for disability or for religious purpose
• Making inquiries into wage or salary information so as to determine if discriminatory or illegal wage payment has occurred
• Filing a workers’ compensation claim
• Making whistleblower claims or contacting a whistleblower hotline (for companies with 10 or more employees)

Types of Retaliation from Employers

Retaliation against employees for making complaints or other actions can occur in many ways. All, however, consist of adverse actions taken against you to designed to stop you from making a reasonable complaint or otherwise asserting your legal employee rights.

Examples of retaliation can include:

• Giving you a poor performance review
• Reprimanding you or engaging in verbal abuse
• Transferring you to a less desirable position
• Reducing your hours or pay grade
• Demotion
• Termination
• Salary reduction
• Threatening to inform law enforcement or immigration authorities concerning information about you
• Increased scrutiny of your job performance or activities
• Spreading false rumors about you or your family members
• Making your job duties increasingly difficult
• Giving a prospective employer (after you have left your current employer) a bad reference
• Refusing to give a prospective employer any job reference at all
• Telling a prospective employer what protected activity you engaged in

These types of illegal retaliatory actions can be reported to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). It must be demonstrated in any claim that you engaged in a prior protected activity, that your employer took an adverse action against you related to your protected activity, and that retaliation was the motive behind it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Workplace Retaliation in Fort Lauderdale

What is considered workplace retaliation?
Workplace retaliation occurs when your employer punishes you for engaging in legally protected activities, such as reporting harassment or discrimination, filing a complaint, or acting as a whistleblower. Retaliation can take many forms, such as demotion, reduced hours, poor performance reviews, or even termination.

What activities are protected from employer retaliation?
Protected activities include reporting workplace harassment or discrimination, participating in an employment law investigation, filing a workers' compensation claim, or requesting reasonable accommodations for disabilities or religious reasons. These actions are protected by federal and state laws.

How can I prove retaliation at work?
To prove workplace retaliation, you must demonstrate that you engaged in a protected activity, your employer took an adverse action against you (such as demotion or termination), and that this adverse action was directly linked to your protected activity. Evidence, such as emails, witness testimonies, or performance reviews, can help support your case.

Can my employer give me a bad reference as retaliation?
Yes, providing a negative job reference or refusing to give a reference based on your protected activity (e.g., filing a complaint or acting as a witness in a case) can be considered a form of retaliation. If this happens, you may be able to file a retaliation claim.

What should I do if I believe I am being retaliated against at work?
If you suspect workplace retaliation, document all related incidents and seek legal advice. You can report the retaliation to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or a local employment law attorney, like The Amlong Firm, who can guide you through the legal process and help protect your rights.

Turn to The Amlong Firm for Trusted Legal Help

If you believe you have been victimized by employer retaliation, our firm stands ready to provide the trusted and seasoned legal help you need. Do not hesitate to reach out for help from a firm that has a solid track record of fighting for and winning cases involving workplace fairness throughout South Florida.

Contact our offices at (954) 953-5490 to arrange to speak with an attorney today.