California law encourages employees to report dangerous, illegal, or inappropriate circumstances within the workplace. Sometimes an employee feels it is appropriate to inform a government or law enforcement agency of a concern. Other times, the employee notifies a supervisor at the place of employment. Under either situation, it is unlawful for an employer to retaliate against an employee for making a good faith report. While retaliation can come in many forms, the following are the most common:

• Termination or demotion;
• Abruptly changing work duties and/or work schedule;
• Salary reduction; or
• Refusing a raise and/or promotion

Employees who have been retaliated against for making a report, whether within their place of employment or to an outside agency, have certain legal rights and protections. Retaliation is unlawful. Tensions between employer and employee tend to run high during these cases, so it’s important to have an experienced attorney handling the case from start to finish.

While retaliation is unlawful, employers are frequently targeted for meritless claims, such as when an employer terminates an employee for a legitimate, non-discriminatory reason (such as theft or chronic absenteeism). If your business faces a retaliation complaint by a former employee, you need experienced attorneys to defend your business, protect your reputation, and preserve company assets.

If your business faces a retaliation complaint by a current employee, things get much more complicated quickly. If the employee is already suing your business, but continuing to work and collect a paycheck, your other employees may be uncomfortable, your supervisors may feel like they are walking on eggshells, and you may feel like you cannot enforce reasonable rules in the workplace for fear of exacerbating the situation. WPGCH has dealt with your situation. We have navigated many retaliation claims by both current and former employees and know how to juggle the challenging situations your company will face during the case. You cannot trust your company to an inexperienced attorney. These cases pose a threat to your financial future and you need a team of experienced, employment litigation attorneys on your side. Call us today.