Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Workplace Retaliation


Retaliation due to raising issues against the employer is not only unethical but also unlawful.

Retaliation often results when an employee reports an illegal or unlawful act against the employer and the latter retaliates by means of firing said employee or decreasing her or his benefits.

Retaliation may be committed not only against the employee who filed a complaint. It may also be committed against fellow employees who serve as witnesses or in any manner participated in the case.

Even in school setting, retaliation is also practiced. Take the example of a drama teacher at Yale University where after reporting an incident of sexual harassment she was dismissed from work.

It is of common knowledge that retaliation is proscribed and not taken sitting taken down. In California, the Fair Employment and Housing Act specifically make workplace retaliation illegal.

Many cases of retaliation have been filling up the court dockets. It only signifies that many employers have retaliated against those who filed cases or complaints or participated in any proceedings against the employer.

The California Supreme Court made it clear, however, that supervisors who allegedly retaliated cannot be held personally liable for such act.

Retaliation is never helpful. It could never cultivate a healthy environment between the employer and employees and among employees themselves.