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RETALIATION

When an employer punishes an employee for engaging in a protected act, it is called retaliation, and it is illegal. "Protected Acts" include things like making an HR complaint about harassment, cooperating with an OSHA investigation, or even filing a lawsuit.  

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If you have been fired, demoted, or harassed because you did the right thing, then RMN can help. 

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What is Retaliation?

According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission(EEOC), protected activities include:

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  • Complaining to a superior about discrimination in the workplace

  • Resisting sexual advances

  • Requesting an accommodation for a disability

  • Testifying honestly in a discrimination investigation. 

 

Retaliation by an employer can take many forms including: ​

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  • Termination​

  • Demotion

  • Harassment

  • Increased scrutiny

  • Punitive transfers

  • Verbal or Physical Abuse

  • Dishonest reprimands and employee evaluations

  • Making the employee's work more difficult

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How do I know if I need a lawyer?

If you have been let go, and you have any suspicion that it was for an illegal reason, you should call RMN for a free consultation now. Employers have expensive lawyers that help them cover up their illegal practices. You need an employment attorney that will fight for your rights. If you recently made a complaint about sexual harassment, have over heard racist jokes in the workplace, or noticed everyone gets fired when they hit a certain age, call us now!

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How can I afford a lawyer?

We know that hiring a lawyer shortly after you have lost your job may seem financially impossible. The good news is that RMN offers contingency billing so you can pursue justice under the least amount of financial hardship. In contingency billing, we pay all the upfront costs in exchange for a portion of the money we secure for you. If there is no recovery, you pay nothing. It is just another way that we are ATTORNEYS WHO ARE ON YOUR TEAM TM. 

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Are there important deadlines?

Yes, there are extremely important deadlines you must make or your claim could be lost. The EEOC, PHRC, and Courts all have Statutes of Limitations (SOL) that limit the amount of time you have to bring your claim. In some cases, those deadlines can be as soon as 30 days after the illegal act, though in most situations the SOL is between 6 months and 2 years. Only an experienced attorney can tell you what the SOL on your case is. Don't wait to call, or it may be too late. 

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How much is my case worth?

There is no simple equation that we can use predict how much your case may be worth. You should not trust an attorney who claims to have one. Every case is unique, and the value of any case can only be determined by actually litigating it in court. Our lawyers can assess your situation and give you potential ranges after in depth investigation, but no one lawyer can tell you what our case is worth until it has been settled or tried.  

FREQUENTLY ASKED

QUESTIONS

Should I complain to human resources?

Yes, you should make a complaint to your company's HR department if you are retaliated against by a superior or a co-worker. If your company doesn't have an HR department, you should go to a superior, or an owner. In either case, you should call an attorney right away for advice on your situations.

LAWS PROHIBITING

RETALIATION

  • Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII)

  • The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

  • The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)

  • The Equal Pay Act (EPA)

  • The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA)

  • The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA)

  • 42 U.S.C. §1981 (Section 1981)

  • The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

  • The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)

  • The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)

  • The Pennsylvania Whistleblower Law

  • The Pennsylvania Construction Workplace Mis-classification Act

  • The Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act (MMA)

WHERE WE FIGHT

  • United States District Court

    • Western District of Pennsylvania

    • Eastern District of Pennsylvania

    • Middle District of Pennsylvania

  • Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas

    • All counties in Pennsylvania, including Allegheny and Philadelphia

  • Third Circuit Court of Appeals

  • Pennsylvania Superior Court

  • Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court

  • Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

  • Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC)

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