Can I be fired for talking about an HR investigation?

Asked by: Gerhard Emmerich  |  Last update: April 5, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (2 votes)

In a letter to an employer, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (the federal agency that enforces the laws prohibiting workplace discrimination and harassment) stated that threatening to discipline or fire employees who discussed a sexual harassment complaint with anyone was illegal retaliation.

Can HR tell me not to talk about investigation?

Yes, an employer can ask an employee not to discuss a matter after the workplace investigation has concluded.

Is an HR investigation confidential?

During an HR workplace investigation, employees have several rights and protections to ensure fairness and legal protections. Right to Confidentiality: Human Resources Department workplace investigations should be conducted with confidentiality to protect the privacy of all parties involved.

Can you be fired for an HR complaint?

You may not be fired for making a complaint (whether to your own HR department or to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) about harassment or discrimination in the workplace; for participating in an investigation of these issues; or for exercising your rights under these laws (by, for example, requesting a ...

Can you refuse to participate in HR investigation?

You also have a legal right to not participate in the investigation. However, if your employment contract requires you to cooperate and answer questions honestly, invoking this legal right often leads to termination.

My employer investigated my workplace complaint, then fired me. What gives?

16 related questions found

Can you get fired after an HR investigation?

You must be given access to the information that is being used against you during the investigation. You must be protected from all retaliatory action including job termination as long as there is no evidence of wrongdoing against you.

Can HR fire you without warning?

For most workers, the answer to “Can you be fired without warning in California?” is yes. Employers are generally not required to give employees any notice before terminating them. This is part of the at-will employment doctrine that allows employers to end the employment relationship at any time.

What is illegal for HR to do?

It is illegal to harass an employee because of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

What to do if HR is treating you unfairly?

If you are being treated unfairly in the workplace, there are a number of steps you can take in order to protect your rights:
  1. Document The Unfair Treatment. ...
  2. Report The Unfair Treatment. ...
  3. Stay Away From Social Media. ...
  4. Take Care Of Yourself. ...
  5. Contact An Experienced Lawyer.

Can HR fire you without proof?

Under at-will employment, HR can terminate employees without needing proof or a reason. This means they may end employment at any time.

What makes a strong retaliation case?

What Makes a Strong Retaliation Case? A strong retaliation case has clear evidence linking an employee's protected action, like reporting harassment, to an adverse reaction from the employer. Demonstrating this connection can lead to a successful retaliation settlement.

What not to say in an HR investigation sample?

I'm not sure, but…” Speculating or making assumptions can muddle the facts, leading to misunderstandings. Stick to what you know. “It's always been done this way”: This defense can imply resistance to change or justify inappropriate behavior based on tradition, which doesn't hold up under scrutiny.

What happens when someone files an HR complaint against you?

HR investigations are used to collect evidence and facts surrounding the complaint, which are then used to determine if any corrective actions are necessary. They can also be used to determine if further action such as disciplinary actions, up to and including termination, are necessary.

How serious is HR investigation?

In most HR investigations, no serious disciplinary actions are called for in the end. It generally takes a lot of solid evidence to lead to something like an immediate termination or demotion, for example.

Can HR disclose why you were fired?

When an Employer Can Say You Were Fired. In many cases, employers aren't legally prohibited from telling another employer that you were terminated, laid off, or let go. They can even share the reasons that you lost your job.

Should I resign during an HR investigation?

If you don't have positive expectations, resigning is sometimes the best way to move forward. A drawback of resigning is that the public may presume your guilt if you resign during a prominent investigation. Resigning is also usually a bad financial move unless you agree to severance in writing with your employer.

Can complaining to HR get you fired?

Wrongful Termination as Retaliation after Filing a Complaint against Your Manager. In many cases, exercising your basic rights – such as the right to file a complaint against your manager with HR – can lead to retaliation; specifically, filing complaints with HR about your manager could result in termination.

What not to say to HR?

What should you not say to HR?
  • The general rule is don't bring your everyday complaints to HR. They're not there to make your job better or easier and they might fire you simply because they don't want to hear it. ...
  • Discrimination. ...
  • Medical needs. ...
  • Pay issues. ...
  • Cooperate with HR if asked, but be smart about it.

Can you sue HR for emotional distress?

Yes, you can file an employment lawsuit for mental anguish. You can only sue for mental anguish if your employer's illegal activities caused the mental anguish. For example, if your employer fired you for complaining about wage theft, you can file a lawsuit requesting compensation for your mental anguish.

Can the HR department fire you?

Can HR fire you? The simple answer is, Yes! Companies have been known to use human resource personnel to conduct terminations. Generally, most companies use a combination of a manager and a human resource employee to conduct the termination.

What can HR legally say about you?

Employers cannot make statements that are malicious in any way. They cannot provide unsolicited information about you or your job performance. They cannot make statements about your beliefs, such as politics or religion, or make statements about your union activities.

What is HR harassment?

Workplace harassment is unwelcome conduct based on a person's race, color, religion, sex, national origin, older age, disability, or genetic information. Harassment includes: Offensive jokes, objects, or pictures. Name calling.

What is an example of unfair termination?

Examples of wrongful termination

Your termination could be wrongful if your employer fired you: Due to discrimination. In violation of a federal or state labor law. Because you reported and refused to participate in harassment.

Can HR yell at you?

Is Yelling in the Workplace Allowed? The short answer is yes. Legally speaking, supervisors and managers are allowed to yell at employees. However, when that yelling is about or against a protected class, the yelling may qualify as harassment.

Can HR fire you without evidence?

At-will employment in California

At-will employment allows employers to fire employees without needing to provide a reason or proof. This means that HR can terminate your job at any time, for any reason at all, or even for no reason.