Discrimination occurs when you are treated unfairly due to characteristics like race, gender, age, pregnancy, disability, or religion. If you’ve experienced negative actions such as being fired, demoted, or denied opportunities because of these factors, you may have a valid claim.

Retaliation happens when your employer punishes you for reporting discrimination, harassment, or other illegal activities. This could include being fired, demoted, or facing negative changes in your job duties.

No, it is illegal for your employer to fire you or take adverse actions against you for reporting harassment, discrimination, or other workplace misconduct. If this happens, it may be grounds for a retaliation claim.

Document everything and report the behavior to your HR department or supervisor. If your concerns are not addressed or you face retaliation, contact an employment lawyer to explore your legal options.