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Retaliation for exercising your rights as an employee is illegal

by | Mar 8, 2018 | Blog, Firm News

As an employee in Georgia, you have certain rights. These include the right to a reasonably safe workplace, the right to seek workers’ compensation in the event of a workplace injury and the right to safety training for your job. Your employer cannot prevent you from exercising these rights, and he or she cannot punish you for it.

If you experienced retaliation because you filed a workers’ compensation claim, you may have options. Your situation may feel overwhelming, but you generally have the right to speak up and fight back against such unfair treatment. You may be able to hold liable parties accountable for what you are experiencing, as well as recovery of any financial losses you incurred.

What counts as retaliation?

It can be difficult to determine if the treatment you are experiencing counts as retaliation. In fact, many workers who experienced unfair or illegal treatment at the hands of their employer do not speak out because they are unsure of their rights or the security of their jobs.

Retaliation after filing a workers’ compensation claim comes in many forms. Workers who experience this might experience the following types of treatment:

  • Discipline for unclear reasons
  • Unmerited or unexplained demotions
  • Loss his or her job for unknown reasons
  • Reduction in hours

Your employer is not allowed to dissuade you from filing a claim, withhold information or paperwork needed to complete your claim, or take direct measures to prevent you from seeking rightful workers’ compensation.

Employers bear the responsibility of making sure workplaces are as safe as possible. They also have the responsibility of carrying the right types of insurance and providing aid in the event of a workplace accident. If you filed a claim and your employer treated you negatively because of it, you might be able to take action to protect your interests.

Fight the effect of employer retaliation

Employer retaliation is more than just mean treatment. It can be a threat to your financial well-being, your career and your ability to support your family. If you experienced retaliation, you do not have to fight it alone. By seeking a complete evaluation of your case, you could better understand the options available to you regarding a potential civil claim. This could help provide the confidence you need to fight back and stand up for your rights.

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