You took a brave step. You stood up to harassment in your West Virginia workplace, reported the inappropriate behavior, and believed your employer would do the right thing. Instead of finding support or a resolution, you found a termination letter. If you were fired shortly after making a good-faith complaint about workplace harassment, you may be experiencing a form of illegal employment discrimination: retaliation.
At Rod Smith Law PLLC, we passionately represent West Virginians who have been wronged in the workplace. We understand how devastating it is to lose your job, especially after demonstrating the courage to report misconduct. You deserve a workplace free from harassment, and you certainly do not deserve to be punished for advocating for your rights and a better work environment.
What is Workplace Retaliation in West Virginia?
In West Virginia, the law provides protections for employees who engage in "protected activities," such as reporting harassment or discrimination. When an employer takes adverse action against you—like firing you, demoting you, or significantly altering your job duties for the worse—because you engaged in a protected activity, that is considered retaliation. The law recognizes that a workplace should not be a hostile environment, and employees must be able to report issues without fearing that their careers will be jeopardized.
Common protected activities include:
- Reporting sexual harassment, race discrimination, or any other type of unlawful discrimination.
- Participating in an investigation into alleged workplace discrimination.
- Filing a complaint with a state or federal human rights agency.
If your employer fired you, or took other negative action, shortly after you reported harassment, the circumstances strongly suggest a retaliatory motive.
Retaliation is Also Illegal
Many employees worry about reporting harassment because they fear facing repercussions, and your story sadly validates that fear. Your initial complaint about harassment is protected by law, and so is the action of firing you if it was done as punishment for your complaint.
Retaliation can manifest in many forms, not just outright termination. It could include a sudden demotion, a cut in pay, a negative performance review that seems out of place, or a transfer to a less desirable position. If you can show that your protected complaint was the reason for the adverse job action, you may have a valid claim for workplace retaliation.
Don’t Face This Injustice Alone
If you have been terminated, demoted, or subjected to other negative workplace consequences right after reporting harassment, you don't have to navigate this complex legal landscape alone. This is not the time to back down—this is the time to fight back with professional and compassionate legal representation.
At Rod Smith Law PLLC, our accomplished legal advocates are dedicated to helping West Virginia workers who have faced retaliation. We know this is a difficult time, and we want to remove the financial worry about seeking help: you don't have to pay anything out of pocket to speak with our attorney about your case.
We are confident and determined to win the justice you deserve. Protect your rights and explore your legal options. Contact our firm today.
Call us for a free consultation at (304) 406-7076 or visit us online to discuss your concerns.