An HR Glossary for HR Terms

Glossary of Human Resources Management and Employee Benefit Terms

Retaliation

What Is Retaliation?

Retaliation is a situation where an employee who reports on harmful or illegal practices in their organization receives disciplinary consequences from their employer or manager. These consequences may include:

Included. Supported. Retained.

Don't leave your company culture to chance. With BambooHR's accurate, reliable employee surveys, you'll prevent burnout, improve morale, and stop premature turnover in its tracks.

Get a Free Demo Today!

Are These Actions Always Considered Retaliation?

Many of these consequences may occur for other reasons, and The Civil Rights Act specifies that an employee claiming retaliation is not immune to lawful dismissal. But to avoid damages related to retaliation, the employer needs to prove that their actions are solely in response to legal causes and are not retaliation.

According to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws, employers cannot discipline employees in the following situations:

What Damages Could Employers Pay in Retaliation Settlements?

If an employer is found guilty of discriminatory retaliation, they must provide restitution to the employee. This restitution can include back pay for the expected compensation the defendant missed as a result of the retaliation, compensatory damages for emotional distress, and front pay for the compensation missed while the retaliation case is being decided.