What counts as workplace retaliation in California?

Retaliation occurs when your employer takes an adverse employment action against you because you engaged in a legally protected activity. Protected activities include filing a discrimination or harassment complaint, reporting wage violations, filing a workers’ compensation claim, taking FMLA/CFRA leave, reporting workplace safety hazards, refusing to participate in illegal activity, and cooperating in a government investigation.

Adverse actions aren’t limited to termination. They can include demotion, pay cuts, schedule changes, negative performance reviews, hostile treatment, reassignment to undesirable duties, or any action that would discourage a reasonable employee from exercising their rights.

California courts take a broad view of what constitutes retaliation. If you suspect you’re being retaliated against, document everything and consult an employment attorney before the situation escalates.