Process of Reporting Workplace Retaliation in Minneapolis

You have certain rights as an employee, and it is illegal for your boss or company to punish you for exercising those rights. For example, you can report instances of sexual harassment and racial discrimination, or choose to cooperate with a Human Resources review of such matters without fear of reprisal. Unfortunately, some bosses and higher-ups find ways to unfairly punish workers who speak up, as they value their reputation more than their employees’ rights.

If you believe you are being mistreated simply because you chose to exercise your rights, speak with the workplace retaliation attorneys at Wanta Thome Employment Lawyers to learn about the process of reporting workplace retaliation in Minneapolis. We are a firm that has been recognized by national publications such as Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers for representing employees standing up to corporations. We can help you find a solution to your situation.

How You Can Strengthen Your Claim

It is illegal for a boss or company to take adverse actions against an employee because they have reported to Human Resources, cooperated with a law enforcement or government investigation, or refused to participate in an illegal or unethical practice. Adverse actions employees may face include:

  • Getting fired
  • A reduction in salary or benefits
  • Being denied a promotion
  • Being left out of career advancement opportunities
  • Receiving unfair or untrue negative performance reviews
  • Being the target of hostile and bullying behavior

If any of these sounds familiar, it is a good idea to learn about the process of reporting illegal employer retaliation in your Minneapolis workplace.

You should save and document anything you can, including text messages, emails, and memos. For evidence that cannot be written down, such as a conversation or meeting, keep note of who said what, as well as the time and place that it occurred. Track down any documentation related to your job duties and salary that you received when you started, so you can compare it to your current status.

Even if you think something is trivial, it may turn out to be helpful.

Who Should You Report to First?

When a boss or company takes retaliatory action in your Minneapolis workplace, there is a process you need to follow to report it. Many companies have internal procedures to report these issues to Human Resources, including online portals and dedicated phone numbers. Unfortunately, this route can have limited effectiveness, but it can show that you first tried to solve the issue internally.

If this does not work, you have state and federal agencies you can use. The Minnesota Department of Human Rights and the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry can conduct an investigation and work to reach a settlement with the company. The federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration can also help with this.

If your case falls outside the jurisdiction of these agencies, you still have anti-retaliation statutes at your disposal to seek justice.

Contact a Minneapolis Attorney About the Process of Reporting Workplace Retaliation

You have the right to report discrimination and harassment. It is illegal for your boss to punish you for doing so.

Our team of lawyers at Wanta Thome can guide you through the process of reporting workplace retaliation in Minneapolis. Call us to schedule a confidential consultation about your situation.