Retaliation

Updated 2026-05-17

Retaliation, in the context of employment law, refers to an adverse action taken by an employer against an individual for exercising their legally protected rights. This can include actions such as firing, demoting, harassing, or otherwise disadvantaging an employee because they:

• Filed a complaint of discrimination.
• Reported harassment.
• Participated in an investigation or lawsuit related to discrimination.
• Opposed discriminatory practices.

Federal laws, such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other statutes enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) (EEOC), explicitly prohibit retaliation. The Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law Poster informs employees of their right to be free from retaliation.

The prohibition against retaliation is a critical component of anti-discrimination laws, as it ensures individuals can report violations without fear of negative repercussions. Similar protections against retaliation exist in other areas of law, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which prohibits retaliation against individuals who exercise their housing rights.