InstituteSexual HarassmentSexual HarassmentUSAHR ManagementEnglishAnalysisFocus AreaHuman ResourcesIn Depth (Level 3)
Avoid retaliation
['Sexual Harassment']

- Employers may not retaliate against an employee for disclosing or discussing sexual harassment or sexual assault.
Retaliation against an employee who discloses or discusses sexual harassment or sexual assault is a risk even if an employee’s report of sexual harassment didn’t rise to the level of being illegal.
Retaliation is when an employer takes action against an employee in some way for making or supporting a claim of discrimination.
Even if employers handle a sexual harassment charge properly, and limit liability in that area, if a supervisor retaliates against an employee for reporting sexual harassment, company liability starts all over again.
Examples of workplace retaliation include:
- Terminating or demoting the employee,
- Changing the person’s job duties or work schedule,
- Transferring the employee to another position or location,
- Reducing the employee’s salary, and/or
- Denying the employee a promotion or pay raise.