Wheaton Retaliation Claims Lawyer

Employment Law Attorney Protecting Workers' Rights in Wheaton, IL

Workers have the right to engage in protected activities like reporting workplace discrimination or blowing the whistle on a dangerous practice, without fearing that they will lose their jobs or face adverse employment action. Employers cannot retaliate against workers who have taken certain legal steps they had a right to take. Almost any action that adversely affects your employment or compensation can be considered a form of unlawful retaliation. If employers were permitted to simply fire any workers who reported the employer's wrongdoing or took steps to protect themselves against the employer's mistreatment, very few workers would ever be willing to speak up when something is wrong or stand up for their rights.

JSL Law, LLC is experienced in helping employees who are experiencing unlawful retaliation. Compassionate Wheaton, IL retaliation claims attorney Jolianne Alexander will do all she can to protect you against adverse employment action. She can begin helping you as soon as a legal dispute arises between you and your employer and continue representing you if you face retaliation. If you lost your job or were demoted for an illegal retaliatory reason, you might be entitled to financial compensation for your lost wages and more. JSL Law, LLC will work closely with you to find the best resolution to your case possible.

Who is Protected Against Retaliation?

An employer cannot take adverse employment action against an employee because the employee:

• Blew the whistle - Workers who report their employer's illegal or dangerous practices to the proper authorities are protected.
• Reported wage and hour violations - Reporting wage theft protects all the employees at your company and holds employers accountable for paying workers what they deserve to be paid.
• Filed a workplace discrimination claim - Employees who see illegal workplace discrimination should be able to speak up without fear. Reporting discrimination on the basis of a protected trait such as race, religion, gender identity, or disability helps the entire workforce.
• Requested or used reasonable disability accommodations - Employers are required to provide accommodations for workers with disabilities and workers who are pregnant so long as the accommodation is not unduly burdensome to the employer. If you are substantially able to perform your job duties with reasonable accommodations, your employer should not take adverse action against you.
• Needed workers' compensation - Some employers will try to discourage injured workers from filing workers' compensation claims by mistreating employees who have relied on this essential program.
• Collected unemployment - Employers may retaliate against former employees who filed unemployment claims by "blacklisting" the employee in his or her industry, usually by giving negative reviews to other companies the former employee applies to.
• Used the Family and Medical Leave Act - FMLA exists to protect workers who need time off to deal with their own or a family member's serious illness or to welcome a new child. Using it should not result in retaliation.

What is an Adverse Employment Action?

Any adverse employment action can be a form of unlawful retaliation. Adverse employment action includes:

• Being fired.
• Not being hired.
• Being demoted.
• Not being promoted when you are the most qualified candidate.
• Losing employment benefits.
• Having your schedule changed from full time to part time against your wishes.
• Being denied seniority or tenure.
• Having your pay cut or being denied a routine pay raise.
• Receiving unfavorable performance reviews without just cause.
• Being assigned undesirable tasks that would normally be shared. For example, if employees normally take turns cleaning the bathrooms and your employer suddenly decides that you are exclusively responsible for this unpleasant task, this might be a form of retaliation.

Employers who are retaliating against an employee often try to find an alternate excuse for taking the adverse action. Your employer might say that you were not fired because you blew the whistle, but because you were late twice. This is often very transparent. Attorneys can sometimes prove that the adverse action was retaliatory by showing that other employees did the same thing and had no such adverse action taken against them.

Contact a Wheaton, IL Retaliation Claims Attorney

JSL Law, LLC is committed to helping workers who are facing unlawful retaliation from their employers. Dedicated employment law attorney Jolianne Alexander will do all she can to protect you after you have taken protected legal action. Contact us at 630-730-8135 for a complimentary consultation.