Workplace Retaliation

Have I Been Unlawfully Retaliated Against at Work?

Retaliation at work happens when your employer treats you badly because of something you did — like speaking up or standing up for your rights. If you can show that your employer took action against you because of something you did, you may have a legal claim for workplace retaliation.

Is All Workplace Retaliation Illegal?

Not necessarily. Retaliation is only unlawful if it happens because you engaged in what's called protected activity — things like:

Reporting unpaid wages or missing overtime
Complaining about discrimination or harassment
Speaking up about unsafe working conditions
Taking protected medical leave

On the flip side, complaining about a dress code or not liking your manager usually isn’t considered protected activity. But if you're challenging something that's against the law, you’re protected — and your employer can’t fire you, discipline you, or treat you unfairly for it.

Does That Make Me a Whistleblower?

Yes — in most cases. A “whistleblower” is simply someone who speaks up about something they believe is illegal or unethical. So if you report something like wage theft, discrimination, or fraud, you’re a whistleblower. And the law protects you from retaliation for doing the right thing.

But I’m an At-Will Employee. Does That Change Things?

Nope. Even if you’re an at-will employee (which most people are), your employer still can’t retaliate against you for engaging in protected activity. The law is on your side either way.

How Do I Prove Workplace Retaliation?

There are a couple of strong ways to prove retaliation:

Direct comments or behavior: If your manager starts calling you a “troublemaker” or says you have an “attitude” after you speak up, that can show retaliatory intent.
Timing: If something negative happens shortly after you raise a concern — like you get written up, demoted, or fired — that timing can be powerful evidence.

What Can I Get If I Win My Case?

If your retaliation claim is successful, you may be entitled to:

Back pay (lost wages)
Compensation for emotional distress
Punitive damages (in some cases)
Coverage of your attorney’s fees — even if you're on a contingency arrangement

Can Mahanaim Law Help?

Absolutely. We’ve helped countless employees who were retaliated against for:

Reporting sexual harassment or discrimination
Speaking up about unpaid wages or overtime
Using protected medical leave
Refusing to engage in unethical or fraudulent behavior

We know how stressful and confusing it can be to speak up at work — and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

What’s Next?