Can I be retaliated against for exercising my rights under labor law?
Yes, you can be retaliated against for exercising your rights under labor law. The District of Columbia has laws in place to protect employees from unlawful retaliation by their employer. These laws prohibit employers from taking any form of adverse action against an employee because of their engagement in activities that are protected by labor law. For example, an employee cannot be fired, demoted, or have their hours cut because they reported a wage and hour violation or filed a complaint with the Department of Labor. An employer is also not allowed to threaten or otherwise intimidate an employee for exercising their rights under labor law. Employees should also be aware that employers cannot retaliate against them if they are involved in union activities. Employers are not allowed to threaten or discipline employees for taking part in union activities, such as signing up for a union, going to union meetings, or engaging in strikes or protests. It is important to remember that if you are retaliated against by your employer for exercising your labor law rights, you have the power to fight back. You can file a complaint with the Office of Human Rights or the Department of Labor, and seek damages for any harm suffered. An employer who is found to be guilty of retaliation can be liable for back pay, reinstatement, costs, and attorney’s fees.
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