Employees should be able to speak up about unlawful workplace conduct without being punished. Retaliation may occur when an employer takes negative action against someone because that person reported misconduct, requested a protected accommodation or leave, participated in an investigation, or exercised another legally protected workplace right.

Retaliation can include termination, demotion, reduced hours, undesirable assignments, exclusion from meetings, sudden discipline, negative performance reviews, threats, increased scrutiny, or other actions that discourage an employee from exercising protected rights.

California law generally protects workers who report discrimination or harassment, participate in workplace investigations, request reasonable accommodations or protected leave, raise wage concerns, or complain about other suspected legal violations.

The timing between the protected activity and the employer’s response can be important, but every situation is different. Smith Law can review the sequence of events, the employer’s stated reasons, and the available evidence.

Speaking up should not cost you your career. Contact Smith Law if you believe your employer retaliated against you.