Retaliation: What It Is and Why It’s so Damaging in the Workplace

The EEOC defines Retaliation as “any adverse action that an employer takes against an employee who has filed a complaint of harassment or discrimination.”   What is an “adverse action?”  The courts have a very broad definition that goes way beyond termination or demotion.  So, who’s at risk?  What should a manager do when faced with a claim of harassment or discrimination in order to steer clear of “adverse actions?”  What about other employees?  Can the organization be held liable for their actions?  And how can retaliation be prevented in the first place?

What You’ll Learn: 

• Clear definitions of Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation…and Civility
• Examples of intentional and unintentional employer and co-worker retaliatory behaviors
• The components of a statement addressing retaliation to integrate into workplace harassment policies
• Strategies to hold employees accountable for civility and respect in the face of a claim of harassment or discrimination

• Definitions of Retaliatory Behaviors
• The Devastating Direct and Indirect Costs of Workplace Retaliation
• Case Studies of Employer Behaviors found to be Retaliatory 
• Options for Training All Staff 
• Supervisory Responsibilities in Addressing Potential Retaliatory Behaviors PROACTIVELY
   

Learn from actual cases how retaliatory behaviors have been interpreted, damages awarded and more importantly; the devastating indirect and long-term costs to your organization.  You’ll discover practical ways to address retaliatory behaviors in the face of discrimination and harassment immediately and proactively.  You’ll also receive sample language that you can incorporate into your existing Harassment policies and procedures.

• CEOs
• Directors
• Managers
• Supervisors
• Project Leaders
• Contractors
• Human Resource Professionals
• Safety and Risk Professionals

Sheila Krejci, M ED, author, master facilitator and consultant at Sheila K Consulting, Inc. has trained and coached hundreds of corporate leaders, police and fire support staff, professional, technical and support employees and elected officials to recognize and mitigate the risks of inappropriate and destructive workplace behaviors, participate in the investigation of harassment and discrimination claims and model critical behaviors that encourage respect for healthier, happier, more productive workplaces.   Her recent courses, “Cultivating Workplaces of Respect and Civility—It Starts at the Top” and “A Manager’s Role in Cultivating a Workplace of Respect and Civility” have received accolades from national audiences for their practical strategies that can be immediately applied to all workplaces.

Sheila has been an adjunct faculty or staff member at the Universities of Minnesota, University of Arizona, and St. Thomas University the Dakota County Business & Professional Center in Minneapolis. As a leadership and organization development consultant, Sheila has led the Board of Directors of ATD in Minneapolis and is and an award-winning partner in Wiley Publishing.   President of her own training and development consulting company, Sheila is a frequent speaker at State and National Conferences like the National League of Cities, SHRM and ATD while a Master Trainer of Trainers and Presentations coach in corporate and non profit settings.