Can My Employer Fire Me Because I Provided Evidence in a Workplace Discrimination Case?

Are you concerned about participating in an employment discrimination investigation launched by one of your co-workers? Or were you recently met with adverse treatment by your employer, including termination, after you agreed to be a witness or to provide evidence for such an investigation? Employers are only able to get away with violating employee rights under state and federal discrimination laws when employees are scared to come forward. We know that acting as a witness or providing evidence in these types of cases can be scary and intimidating, but it is important to know that you have legal protections against retaliation under every state and federal law that prohibits discrimination.

Our South Florida employment discrimination and wrongful termination lawyers can clarify your rights, and we can speak with you today about moving forward with a claim if you faced retaliation in response to your participation in a discrimination investigation at your place of employment.

Employees Who Participate in Investigations Have Legal Protections

State and federal laws that prohibit employment discrimination also provide protections against retaliation. Those protections extend beyond the person who is facing the discrimination and who files the claim. Protections against retaliation extend to employees who report discrimination (even if they are not the one facing the discrimination), participate in a discrimination investigation or lawsuit, or take actions in the workplace to oppose discrimination. The EEOC clearly explains that retaliation includes actions taken against employees who file discrimination claims as well as those who support such employees by participating in the infestation or lawsuit.

In sum, you have legal protections against retaliation for speaking up or providing testimony or evidence concerning employment discrimination in your workplace.

Proving Retaliation and Wrongful Termination in Florida Workplaces

In order to show that you were wrongfully terminated due to retaliation, you will generally need to prove three elements of a retaliation claim:

• You engaged in a type of protected activity (e.g., participating in an employment discrimination investigation or lawsuit);
• You experienced a materially adverse action (e.g., you were terminated from your job); and
• A causal connection exists between you engaging in the protected activity and the materially adverse action you suffered.

The third element is the one that can be most difficult to prove, but our Florida wrongful termination lawyers can gather various forms of evidence, from electronic communications to witness statements, to build your retaliation case. If you win your retaliation claim, you can be eligible for a wide range of remedies that can include reinstatement, back pay, and more.

Contact a Palm Beach Gardens Wrongful Termination Lawyer for Assistance with Your Case

If you were terminated from your employment after participating in an employment discrimination investigation, it is critical to seek legal advice about your circumstances. Retaliation is unlawful, and even though your employer might try to argue that you were not terminated as a retaliatory response to your lawful actions, one of the experienced Palm Beach Gardens wrongful termination lawyers at Sconzo Law Office can help you to gather the evidence to prove your case. Contact our firm today to learn more about the employment discrimination and wrongful termination services we provide to employees in South Florida.

Source:

eeoc.gov/retaliation