Retaliation--What it is and Why it is so Damaging in the Workplace

Unintentional workplace retaliation is more and more common AND expensive in workplaces today. And it is true that the truth of the original claim of harassment or discrimination doesn’t really matter.  It could be found to be baseless or even fabricated yet the claim of retaliation is upheld.

This can be so frustrating for supervisors, managers, any “person in a position of power,” as they are still liable for taking any action deemed retaliatory. Retaliation is any adverse action that an employer takes against an employee who has filed a complaint of harassment or discrimination. 

According to the EEOC, nearly half of the claims that they are addressing today are not about sexual or other forms of harassment or discrimination but for retaliatory behavior against someone who has filed a claim or is participating in the investigation of a claim of harassment or discrimination! Beyond the typical employer actions like termination or discipline, retaliation may be well intentioned as with an employer trying to be helpful by moving two co-workers apart while the claim is investigated. Perhaps the one who filed the claim ends up away from the window she likes or away from her current work group making it feel that the separation is negative and retaliatory.    

WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND?

What qualifies as retaliation?  Who is at risk?  What are protected classes and protected activities? What’s a manager to do when faced with a claim of harassment or discrimination?  What about other employees?  Can they be held liable? And how can we prevent retaliation in the first place?

Join Sheila Krejci, M ED national speaker and consultant as she explores these questions, describes actual cases of retaliation, and provides practical strategies you can put into practice immediately to prevent claims of retaliation in your workplace.

AREA COVERED

• How to hold your staff accountable for civility and respect in the face of a claim or harassment or discrimination
• Strategies to prevent retaliation in workplaces that YOU can implement immediately

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• How the courts define Protected Classes and Protected Activities
• Examples of intentional and unintentional employer retaliation and retaliatory behaviors
• The components of a statement addressing retaliation to integrate into your workplace harassment policies

WHO WILL BENEFIT?

• Company board leaders
• Corporate leaders
• HR professionals 
• Managers
• First level supervisors
• Risk management professionals
• City, county and state leader
• Elected officials