Even though the Missouri Human Rights Act makes employment discrimination unlawful, it is an unfortunate reality that employers retaliate against employees for many reasons. In certain cases, the employer may retaliate when the employee complains about discrimination. In other cases, retaliation may occur due to the filing of a workers’ compensation or whistleblower claim. In yet other cases, employers attempt to dissuade employees from organizing unions. Whenever retaliation occurs, employees feel pressure to remain silent or face serious repercussions.
HKM Employment Attorneys LLP in St. Louis, Missouri, have experience dealing with predatory employment practices, including employer retaliation. A service-focused organization with a national presence, HKM Employment Attorneys helps workers fight back against employers of any size. If you have legal questions about retaliation or other employment practices, contact us immediately to get started on your case.
Knowledgeable Law Firm Understands Retaliation Rules in Missouri
Missouri law prevents employers from retaliating against employees in specific circumstances. In legal terms, it is unlawful for Missouri employees to take an adverse action against a covered individual for participating in a protected activity. In order to grasp the boundaries of retaliation, please find below a breakdown of the bold terms from the previous sentence.
- Adverse Action: Only certain types of actions are eligible for protection against retaliation. These types of action must go beyond mere slight or insult. The employer must terminate, deny advancement, reduce pay, or take similarly serious action against an employee.
- Covered Individual: Only certain individuals are eligible for protection against retaliation, including those who have challenged discrimination in the past or applied for disability or religious accommodations. In certain cases, family members are also covered, if they reported discrimination on behalf of an employee.
- Protected Activity: Only certain activities are eligible for protection against retaliation. Anyone who challenges unlawful or discriminatory employment practices is protected. Similarly, individuals who participate in formal discrimination proceedings are covered.
In summary, Missouri law protects individuals from employer retaliation when the factors align as outlined above. When facing such circumstances, it is highly advisable to retain legal counsel to safeguard your rights.
Delivering Retaliation Representation to Employees in St. Louis
While employer retaliation can come in various shapes and sizes, most cases tend to fall into four different buckets. The list below provides an overview of the major types of retaliation employees face on a regular basis.
- Retaliation for Complaining about Discrimination;
- Retaliation for Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim;
- Retaliation for Participating in Union Activity; and
- Retaliation for Filing a Whistleblower Claim.
Engage with a Missouri Retaliation Attorney for Legal Help Today
Whether you or a loved one are dealing with retaliation or other forms of employment discrimination, there are countless benefits to engaging with a skilled attorney. With long-standing experience in the field of labor and employment law, HKM Employment Attorneys can give your case the time and attention required for a positive outcome. To jump start your case, contact us at your earliest convenience.
