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What Are Examples of Retaliatory Discharge?

Oct. 13, 2021

If you were fired for filing a complaint against your company, you were discharged in retaliation as per Illinois law. Retaliatory discharge is an offense in Illinois that carries severe consequences. Here are some of the top reasons/complaints that can compel a disgruntled employer to fire an employee:

1. Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment should never be tolerated, much less in a workplace where you are supposed to feel safe. If you have been harassed at work and think your boss fired you because of your complaint, you should contact a Chicago employment law attorney as soon as possible. The offense is covered under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and is thus punishable by law.

If your claim is valid, you can also get back pay from the day you were fired to when you were either reinstated or received a settlement. With the right attorney, you can also receive compensatory damages.

2. Race Discrimination

The law is quite clear when it comes to race discrimination in the workplace. As per state and federal laws, employers cannot mistreat employees because of their race or skin color. Racial segregation can take on multiple forms. It can include employee segregation in which those who have a specific skin tone or race are placed together.

If your complaint resulted in employment termination, you have grounds to sue your employer-provided you have an experienced Chicago employment law attorney in your corner.

3. Age Discrimination

Were you fired for something that your colleagues got away with? If you are above 40 years of age and believe it affected your employer's decision, you may be the victim of age discrimination.

The good news is that if that is the case, you are protected as per the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). This covers several employment processes such as payroll benefits, layoffs, and promotions. The fact is that older workers also have legal rights in the workplace, and as such, they also have the right to hold their employer accountable for unfair actions.

4. Wage and Hour Disputes/Unpaid Overtime

Do you have unpaid wages, commissions, or overtime that your employer refuses to pay? Determining wage and hour salaries can be a challenge, but you should be able to receive what you are due from a legal point of view. If your boss fired you because you asked for owed money, you have grounds to sue as per the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Just make sure you have proof in the form of pay stubs, your employment contract, company policies, and anything else that proves outstanding payments. The more information you have, the better.

Contact the Law Office of Michael Smith for a Consultation for Retaliatory Discharge

You should be able to work every day without fear of harassment or hostility. If you think you were fired because you complained about workplace discrimination or harassment, you should pursue justice with help from the Law Office of Michael Smith. We will assign an experienced Chicago employment law attorney to your case in Schaumburg, IL. Get in touch with us today and get the justice you deserve.