Prohibited Personnel Practices - Retaliation

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Prohibited personnel practices are actions that are banned in the federal government workforce because they violate the merit system. Retaliation is one such practice that federal employees are protected from.

Workplace retaliation happens when an employer penalizes an employee for engaging in an activity that is legally protected. Retaliation can include adverse job actions such as discipline, demotion, shift or job reassignment, salary reduction, and firing.

Under federal law, federal employees are protected from retaliation if they decide to file a complaint about negative experiences in the workplace. These types of claims might include a harassment or discrimination claim filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Employees who assist with an EEOC investigation or serve as a witness in an investigation are also protected from an employer’s retaliation. Moreover, there are other federal laws that protect employees who engage in various activities such as complaints about an unsafe working condition, or even whistleblowing.

If you think that your employer or supervisor is retaliating against you for some action that you’ve taken, it is important that you discuss your employer’s response with a human resources representative. If your employer or supervisor cannot give a valid or legitimate reason for the way that they are treating you, then it is possible that you are actually a victim of retaliation. Be sure to document your employer’s actions and try to establish a link between your actions, such as a complaint, and the retaliation that you believe your employer is engaging in.

If you believe that you are the victim of your employer’s or your supervisor’s retaliation, it is important that you consider consulting with an experienced Federal Employment Law Attorney as soon as possible to discuss your case. Call the Vaughn Law Firm today at (877) 615-9495 and schedule your free consultation.