5 Clear Signs Of Retaliation In The Workplace

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Workplace retaliation can significantly affect your company’s environment and productivity, severely impacting your professional life. According to a recent study, 55.8% of all charges filed in 2020 were related to retaliation. Sometimes, bosses don’t take things seriously when you bring up a problem. Some of them can even get mad at you for speaking up. In other cases, they may try to settle the score with you, the employee, which can be uncomfortable. So, let’s talk about spotting the red flags so you can protect yourself and make your workplace fairer. 

1. Being overlooked for promotions and raises 

Suppose you’ve blown the whistle on some shady stuff at work, like discrimination or harassment, and expect a pat on the back. But instead, you get a cold shoulder when it’s time for promotions or salary boosts. This is a classic sign of retaliation and is cause for concern. Your career moves should be based on your skills and hard work, not as a way for the higher-ups to get back at you for speaking up.

2. No opportunities for advancement

You’re on the path to climbing that career ladder, gunning for promotions, or diving into exciting projects. But suddenly, it’s like someone slammed the door in your face. You’re not invited to training programs, leadership development, or any career-enhancing gigs you should be in on based on your chops. That’s another way employers can retaliate. They’re trying to stunt your growth because you dared to speak out. If you realize this, you can try and find ways by which you can request participation if your workplace avenues allow it.

3. The dreaded termination

This sign is one of the ultimate indicators of retaliation. You voice concerns about something fishy in the office and are out the door. Getting fired right after whistleblowing is a major red flag. Employers need valid, non-discriminatory reasons for letting someone go, and any termination following your whistleblowing should raise some eyebrows. Perhaps you’re fired or pressured to return to work too soon, especially after a workplace injury. In that case, you can seek workers’ compensation lawyer services to argue your case and prove why the penalties are unwarranted. 

4. The salary squeeze or hour crunch

Suppose your paycheck takes a sudden nosedive or your hours vanish. They might try to justify it as a cost-cutting measure, but if it’s aimed at specific folks speaking out, that’s retaliation in disguise. It’s like a slap in the face for standing up for what’s right. You can speak to your HR department to learn more about your salary reduction and the way forward.

5. Verbal or physical abuse 

You’re probably in retaliation territory if you’re receiving verbal or physical abuse after reporting workplace issues. Many folks who blow the whistle talk about getting an earful from management or their colleagues. But if things escalate to threats of violence or physical attacks, that’s a new level of wrongdoing that demands immediate attention. 

Workplace retaliation isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, and that’s a bummer. But here’s the deal: you must be aware of the signs and protect yourself. If you even suspect you’re dealing with retaliation, talk to someone in HR or get legal advice. Remember, retaliation is not just uncool; it’s illegal. Everyone deserves a workplace free from this, and that includes you. Stand up, speak out, and make your workplace a better, fairer place.