Washington, D.C. Workplace Retaliation Lawyer
Did your employer demote you, cut your hours, or suddenly start questioning your performance after you reported misconduct? If so, you may be experiencing workplace retaliation, and you don’t have to accept it. Federal law and D.C. law both prohibit employers from punishing employees who assert their legal rights. If your employer does this anyway, a retaliation attorney in D.C. can help you push back.
At Bernabei & Kabat, PLLC, our workplace retaliation lawyers in Washington, D.C., have spent more than 30 years fighting for employees and executives who have experienced unlawful retaliation at work. We know what it takes to build a strong retaliation claim, and we’re here to put our experience to work for you. If you’re ready to take a stand, contact our Washington, D.C., law firm today to arrange your confidential consultation session.
What Counts as Workplace Retaliation Under D.C. and Federal Law?
Workplace retaliation occurs when an employer takes adverse action against an employee for engaging in a legally protected activity. In this context, protected activities can include:
- Reporting discrimination or harassment
- Filing a complaint with a government agency like the D.C. Office of Human Rights
- Participating in a workplace investigation
- Requesting leave or accommodations
- Refusing to participate in unlawful conduct
Retaliatory actions can range from termination and demotion to subtler forms of punishment like reassignment, pay cuts, schedule changes, or sudden hostility. To establish a retaliation claim, you generally need to show that you engaged in a protected activity and that your employer took adverse action against you as a result. Our lawyers for retaliation at work can help you determine whether your experience meets that standard.
Workplace Retaliation Cases Our D.C. Lawyers Handle
Retaliation can follow almost any act of workplace advocacy, but certain situations often give rise to retaliation claims. At Bernabei & Kabat, PLLC, our employment law attorneys regularly represent workers who have faced retaliation after taking the following protected actions at work.
Retaliation After Reporting Discrimination
Federal law and D.C. law both prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who report discrimination based on protected characteristics like age, sex, or race. Title VII, the D.C. Human Rights Act, and other federal and local statutes make it unlawful for employers to take adverse action against employees for opposing discriminatory practices or participating in a related investigation or proceeding.
In practice, however, employers sometimes respond to discrimination complaints with demotion, reassignment, hostile treatment, or even termination. If that’s what happened to you, you may have grounds for both a discrimination claim and a separate retaliation claim.
Our workplace retaliation lawyers in D.C. have represented employees in these matters for decades, and we understand the legal and strategic considerations that matter most in cases like yours. Our discrimination and retaliation attorneys are here to help you explore your options.
Retaliation After Reporting Sexual Harassment
It takes courage to report sexual harassment, and the law recognizes that employees who come forward in these cases deserve EEOC retaliation protections. Federal and District laws both prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who report sexual harassment. Still, retaliation after a harassment report is common. Some employers sideline reporting employees, transfer them against their will, or create work environments so hostile that employees feel forced to resign.
If an employer retaliates against an employee for reporting, that employer has compounded one unlawful act with another. The sexual harassment lawyers at Bernabei & Kabat, PLLC, have spent decades representing employees who have had the courage to speak up about harassment and then paid an unfair price for doing so. Whatever form of retaliation you may have experienced, a retaliation lawyer at our law firm can help you assess your legal options.
Retaliation After Requesting Leave or Accommodations
Employees have the right to request medical leave, family leave, and reasonable workplace accommodations without fear of punishment. The Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the D.C. Family and Medical Leave Act all protect employees who exercise these rights. If an employer responds to a leave request or accommodation request with demotion, termination, or sudden mistreatment, that response may constitute unlawful retaliation.
These cases can be difficult to prove since employers often cite unrelated performance concerns or business reasons to justify their actions. The attorneys at Bernabei & Kabat, PLLC, know how to cut through those excuses and demonstrate the true motivation behind an employer’s actions. If you believe your employer retaliated against you for requesting leave or accommodations, contact our team now for the workplace retaliation representation you need.
Warning Signs Your Employer Is Retaliating Against You
Not every act of retaliation is obvious. Some employers will take immediate, dramatic action against employees who speak up, while others respond with a slow erosion of responsibilities, opportunities, and respect. Whether they appear suddenly or gradually, here are some red flags that deserve attention:
- Unexpected demotion or reduction in job responsibilities
- Unjustified negative performance reviews
- Exclusion from meetings, projects, or communications you were previously included in
- Reassignment to less desirable shifts, locations, or roles
- Reduction in hours or pay
- Increased scrutiny or micromanagement following a complaint
- Hostile or dismissive treatment from supervisors or management
- Denial of a promotion or raise you were in line for
- Threats, warnings, or disciplinary action without clear justification
- Termination shortly after reporting misconduct or asserting a legal right
How Our Washington, D.C. Retaliation Lawyers Build Your Claim
Every retaliation case is different, but the foundation of a solid claim is always the same: a clear factual record that connects your employer’s actions to your protected activity.
At Bernabei & Kabat, PLLC, our attorneys begin every case by thoroughly reviewing the timeline of events, your employment records, and any communications that shed light on your employer’s motivations. Timing often plays a critical role in these cases, and adverse action that follows closely after a complaint or request can be powerful evidence of retaliatory intent.
We also look for patterns, such as different treatment of similarly situated colleagues, inconsistent application of workplace policies, or sudden changes in performance reviews. With 75 years of combined experience in employee-side employment law, our law firm is all too familiar with how employers attempt to obscure retaliatory motives, and we know how to expose them.
What Remedies May Be Available
Employees who prevail in workplace retaliation cases may be entitled to a range of remedies under federal and D.C. law. Courts can award back pay for lost wages, front pay for loss of future earnings, and compensation for lost benefits. Courts can also award compensation for emotional distress and other non-economic harm the retaliation caused. Compensation for attorney’s fees and other legal costs may be available, too.
Judges can also order injunctive relief, such as reinstatement to a former position or a court order requiring an employer to change its policies and practices. The remedies available in your case will depend on the specific facts at hand. Our retaliation attorneys can help you understand what you may be entitled to and work to maximize your recovery.
Speak With a Washington, D.C. Workplace Retaliation Lawyer Today
Retaliation can derail your career and take a serious toll on your well-being, but you don’t have to face it alone. At Bernabei & Kabat, PLLC, our employment retaliation lawyers in Washington, D.C., have stood beside employees for over 30 years, and we’re ready to stand beside you, too. Contact our law office today to arrange a confidential consultation with an experienced job retaliation lawyer in D.C.
We Are Ready to Fight for You
You may find yourself subjected to discrimination or retaliation, but our employment law lawyers are ready to fight on your behalf. Discuss your case with a member of our team by calling 202.745.1942 or completing the online contact form.
