Forms and Examples of Retaliation

Sexual harassment retaliation takes various forms. Different employment actions also constitute retaliation. In fact, any action by an employer that can discourage future complaints may qualify as a retaliatory act when done in response to a complaint of sexual harassment. Generally, the following employment actions following shortly after a complaint or resistance of sexual harassment may signal evidence of retaliation: termination, demotion, unfavorable transfer, pay cut, removal from the schedule, reduction of hours, suspensions, write-ups or reprimands, management hostility, harder worker, menial tasks, changed schedule designed to oppress, reduced schedule, isolation, denial of needed help, ostracism, bad review or evaluation, unexplained or unsupported customer or co-worker complaints, accusations of poor work performance, sudden increase in workload, denial of breaks, vacations or benefits.