If your employer is treating you unfairly because you filed a discrimination complaint or cooperated with an investigation, talk to a workplace retaliation attorney at Wanta Thome immediately. We can explain your legal rights and the process of reporting workplace retaliation in Chicago.
The longer you wait to act, the more opportunity the employer has to build a case justifying the adverse action. Working with us as soon as possible limits the employer’s advantage and allows us to build a stronger case.
Illegal workplace retaliation occurs when an employer takes an adverse action against you because of actions you took in response to the employer’s illegal or discriminatory conduct. Perhaps you confirmed a co-worker’s account of a supervisor’s sexual harassment to an investigator, or you made a complaint about discrimination in your workplace. These are called protected actions, and if your employer retaliated against you, you have a legal claim against them.
A retaliatory event could be a firing, demotion, or reassignment. Discuss it with the supervisor or Human Resources Representative, listen to their explanation, and ask for clarification if necessary. It is best not to accuse the employer of retaliation right away, no matter how angry or frustrated you feel.
Instead, write down everything that was said, keep copies of any paperwork, and contact a Chicago attorney at our firm right away to learn about the process of reporting workplace retaliation. After discussing the situation, we will let you know whether we think you have a viable retaliation case. You owe us no money up front, and we only accept a fee if we pursue and win your case.
Lawsuits are slow, uncertain, and expensive. At Wanta Thome Employment Lawyers, we are committed to resolving your matter as quickly and effectively as possible.
Our workplace retaliation attorneys usually begin the process by directly contacting your employer in Chicago. We will explain that we believe you have experienced illegal workplace retaliation and that if we cannot resolve it, we will file a formal complaint with one of the government agencies that oversees employment discrimination matters. Depending on your goals, we may seek:
In many cases, the employer will negotiate with us to resolve the matter. Even if we cannot reach an acceptable settlement, making a good-faith effort can work in your favor if we must file a formal discrimination complaint.
Several agencies investigate and punish employers who have engaged in illegal retaliatory conduct. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is one option, but state or local agencies may be more efficient.
The Illinois Human Rights Act under 775 Illinois Civil Statutes 5/2-101 covers any employer that has at least one employee working at least 20 weeks in the year the event occurred or the year before. The Illinois Department of Human Rights investigates complaints under the state Human Rights Act. You must file your formal complaint within two years of the incident to proceed with the Chicago workplace retaliation case.
In some cases, our attorneys may opt to pursue an employment retaliation case with the Chicago Commission on Human Relations or the Cook County Commission on Human Rights, but these agencies have shorter deadlines. We are always transparent in our decision-making and will explain the pros and cons of each approach.
It is frightening and frustrating when your employer mistreats you because you did the right thing. Fight back by hiring Wanta Thome Employment Lawyers. Our award-winning team is here to help you with the process of reporting workplace retaliation in Chicago, so contact us today.