Sometimes, when employees report discrimination, illegal activities, and other wrongdoings to their employers, these businesses retaliate against whistleblowers.
Retaliation is illegal and unethical. Thankfully, you don’t have to feel helpless after enduring workplace retaliation in California. Find out the many benefits of hiring retaliation in the workplace lawyers. You’ll also learn examples of examples of workplace retaliation.
5 Beneficial Reasons to Hire a Workplace Retaliation Lawyer
Realizing you were retaliated against can feel shocking and overwhelming. Thankfully, lawyers can help you prove workplace retaliation in California in many ways.1. Ensuring You Have a Case
As you may already know, legal issues are often complex. What may seem like retaliatory behavior might not be. Conversely, employees can go through life without knowing they were retaliated against.Nobody wants to put in the research, time, and effort into preparing a case by themselves to find out their claim is invalid.
Retaliation in the workplace lawyers consult with you to learn about the retaliatory measures you endured or are enduring. For example, Melmed Law offers fast and free consultations. You risk nothing. At the same time, workplace retaliation lawyers determine if you have a case.
2. Gathering Evidence and Preparing Your Case
Evidence is the foundation of any claim. When it comes to work-based matters, proof can exist in many forms. A lawyer can accurately pinpoint what evidence of yours is worth presenting, including text messages, performance reviews, emails, and other information.Having a workplace retaliation lawyer in your corner means receiving assistance gathering and collecting your evidence. Additionally, legal professionals understand how to form their findings into a strong case on your behalf.
3. Completing and Filing Documents Timely
Legal matters often require extensive paperwork. Knowing which documents you need and where to obtain them is already a lot to deal with. But there’s more. You must additionally fill out and submit your papers timely. Failure to do so can void your entire case.Lawyers also prevent clients from making errors on their paperwork, which are far easier to make than you might think. These errors can delay your case, something no one wants to deal with. A workplace retaliation lawyer also knows California’s statutes of limitations, which your case must abide by.
4. Assisting With Negotiations
Understandably, negotiating isn’t an activity that most people enjoy. They can get intense. It’s also naturally awkward for wronged employees to agree to terms with their current or former employers. However, these discussions are often a requirement to settle workplace retaliation matters.A workplace retaliation lawyer can step in on your behalf, ensuring you don’t unknowingly leave money on the table. These legal professionals can also guide you on when to prosecute if negotiations aren’t going well.
Additionally, a skilled legal team understands the worth of each case they take on. This skill helps ensure you don’t accept a lowball offer.
5. Providing Representation in a Courtroom
Representing yourself might look doable in movies or on TV. In real life, it’s not advisable. Your employer likely has a big budget that includes a legal team. Having representation from a retaliation in the workplace lawyer helps ensure you and your employer are on an even legal playing field.Plus, Melmed Law operates on contingency. You don’t pay us unless we obtain a favorable judgment or settlement.
Examples of Workplace Retaliation
Besides speaking with a workplace retaliation lawyer, learning examples of this illegal activity can also help you determine the validity of your case.
Demotions
Angry company leaders may attempt to make an example out of an employee by unlawfully demoting them. A demotion means being assigned to roles and duties beneath your current position. This type of workplace retaliation in California also often comes with a pay cut.Losing Your Job
One of the most blatant workplace retaliation examples is also the most costly: termination. As shocking as it sounds, companies may attempt to strike back at a worker by firing them. However, with retaliation in the workplace, lawyers may be able to help their clients retain their jobs or receive compensation.Exclusion From Co-Workers
Companies from all walks of life perform well when employees work together. However, that’s impossible when a company or its leaders exclude workers. In this case, a workplace retaliation example would be workers removed from meetings or projects.Intentionally Unfavorable Work Duties
Retaliation in the workplace lawyers also handle cases involving unfavorable job assignments. Let’s say you work in a comfortable office from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. After you file a discrimination complaint, you’re suddenly transferred to working nights stocking shelves in the company warehouse.How to Prove Retaliation in a California Workplace
As California workplace retaliation lawyers know, anyone submitting this claim must prove it by verifying three vital elements.
Element 1: You Completed a Protected Activity
Many protected activities exist, which can include:- Whistleblowing (reporting fraud, discrimination, etc.)
- Taking protected family or medical-related leave
- Filing a complaint about your employer
- Participating in company-related investigations
- Denying a co-worker’s advances
You’ll need to choose what happened that you believe you were unlawfully punished for.
Element 2: How an Employer Retaliated Against You
As mentioned, a company may retaliate against an employee in many ways. This second aspect of proving workplace retaliation in California requires listing the way or ways an employer illegally treated you.Element 3: Linking Protected Activities to Retaliation (Causation)
Lastly, you must link an employer’s retaliatory measure with your protected action. A workplace retaliation lawyer can help you find and present this critical link.Examples of causation may include:
- When you were retaliated against
- Employer-related inconsistencies
- Proving you were singled out compared to your co-workers
Dealing with the aftermath of retaliatory actions can make anyone feel isolated. You’re not alone. Melmed Law is here to help. To schedule a free consultation, contact us today.