Retaliation No Company is Too Big to Play Fair.

Retaliation Lawyers in Minneapolis

Both federal and state laws prohibit employers from retaliating against employees for engaging in protected conduct. To establish a retaliation claim, your protected complaint must have played a part in, or motivated, the employer’s decision. Our attorneys are dedicated to fighting unlawful workplace retaliation.

What is Protected Conduct?

Under Title VII and the Minnesota Human Rights Act, an employer may not retaliate against an employee who engages in conduct protected by law.

Protected conduct includes:

  • Opposing workplace discrimination against you or another employee

  • Assisting an investigation of discrimination

  • Refusing to engage in conduct you believe to be unlawful

  • Asking your employer about your legal rights

  • Taking protected medical leave

  • Requesting accommodations for a disability

  • Associating with other people of a certain race, sex, national origin, or religion

  • Otherwise exercising your rights under the law

Retaliation generally takes the form of a demotion, harassment, transfer, or termination of employment. Even a lateral reassignment can be retaliation if the reassignment impacts your eligibility for promotions or advancement. The United States Supreme Court has also determined that an employer cannot retaliate by taking action against people who are close to you.

Employees also have the right to organize without employer retaliation. This right includes the right to join or assist labor unions, to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing, and to engage in other activities for mutual aid or protection.

If you "blow the whistle" on an employer’s illegal activity, you may also have whistleblower protection. A number of state and federal statutes include anti-retaliation protection for individuals who report violations of the law. In some cases, the law even rewards individuals who blow the whistle on illegal activity.

What Does Your Retaliation Claim Involve?

Retaliation can take many forms. The United States Supreme Court has defined retaliatory action as any employment action that might dissuade a reasonable person from making or supporting a complaint.

Examples of retaliation often include:

  • Your employer fired you because you complained of harassment or discrimination.

  • Your employer reduced your compensation or benefits, demoted you, or denied you a promotion shortly after you complained of harassment or discrimination.

  • Your employer has treated you badly because you opposed or complained about discrimination or because you assisted in investigations of possible discrimination.

For assistance with your case, contact our Minneapolis retaliation attorneys at (877) 344-4628.

  • Nichols Kaster obtained a successful jury verdict for a BNSF railroad employee on a Federal Railroad Safety Act retaliation claim.

  • Nichols Kaster obtained a jury verdict for a task force Special Agent in South Dakota on sexual harassment and retaliation claims.

  • Nichols Kaster confirmed the standard protecting workers from retaliation for verbally reporting to employer violation of wage and hour law in front of the Supreme Court.

  • Nichols Kaster obtained the second-largest settlement ever paid by the City of Saint Paul in an employment suit.

Compassion. Strength. Experience. A Voice for Employees and Consumers When They Need it Most

Our team of passionate, talented professionals work every day on advancing and protecting people's rights. No entity is too big to play fair, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to our firm to discuss the details of your situation.