Retaliation and wrongful termination

Protected activity

Protected activity can include a complaint to a manager, HR, an agency, or another person involved in an investigation.

• Reporting discrimination or harassment
• Requesting an accommodation or protected leave
• Questioning unpaid wages or participating in an investigation

What retaliation can look like

Retaliation is not limited to termination. It can include a demotion, a sudden write-up, lost work, schedule changes, or pressure to resign.

Why timing matters

A careful timeline can show when management learned about the complaint and what changed next. Save emails, messages, reviews, and notices as they arrive.