Despite belief to the contrary, employers in Detroit cannot treat their workers however they like. Employers do have some leeway in how they manage employees, but laws are in place to ensure workers remain protected from certain behaviors. Retaliation against whistleblowers is one of these prohibited behaviors.
The problem for many whistleblowers is that they are not sure what constitutes retaliation and they may not think to ask questions like yours. This post should help you and other readers better identify whistleblower retaliation in the workplace. Below are the examples you requested.
— One of the most obvious examples is getting fired or laid off after blowing the whistle.
— Being demoted or denied promotion is also an example of retaliation.
— Refusing to pay overtime or denying you benefits could also be retaliation.
— If you are receiving threats or being intimidated, it could be retaliation.
— Having your pay reduced or being reassigned to a less desirable job position may also be retaliation.
— Other, less obvious whistleblower retaliation behaviors include blacklisting you with other potential employers and falsely accusing you of poor work performance.
The bottom line to remember is that it is 100 percent illegal to retaliate against a whistleblower. If you believe you are experiencing retaliation behavior, you should file a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
If you want even more protection as well as an advocate on your side, consider speaking with an employment law attorney about your concerns. An experienced lawyer can help you file your complaint with OSHA while ensuring that your rights remain intact.
Source: OSHA.gov, “Recommended Practices for Anti-Retaliation Programs,” accessed March 10, 2017
