What is an example of retaliation for FMLA?

Asked by: Dr. Enos Cormier  |  Last update: March 27, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (2 votes)

Terminating an employee shortly after returning from protected medical leave. Denying a promotion to an employee who otherwise would have been promoted. Cutting an employee's pay or benefits after the employee requests medical leave. Reinstating an employee to a lesser position.

What is considered FMLA retaliation?

Understanding FMLA Retaliation in California

FMLA retaliation occurs when an employer takes negative action against an employee because they used or tried to use their FMLA leave rights. This can include being fired, demoted, losing a promotion, having pay reduced, or even being given a less desirable job.

What are examples of FMLA abuse?

Here are five examples of FMLA abuse:
  • Chronic Monday/Friday Absences. ...
  • Unreported Secondary Employment. ...
  • Pattern of Intermittent Leave Surrounding Holidays or Special Events. ...
  • Failure to Provide Timely and Complete Medical Certification. ...
  • Excessive Use of Unplanned, Short-Term FMLA Leave.

What actions are considered retaliation?

Unfair punishment, demerits, negative performance reviews, denial of promotions and raises, exclusion from programs, increased workload, forced time off, and job termination are all examples of retaliation.

Which of the following would be an example of retaliation?

Retaliation can be in the form of termination, demotion, exclusion from important meetings, unfair monitoring, withholding raises and other benefits, verbal abuse, and bullying.

What is FMLA? | Real Life Retaliation Examples

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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 is the burden of proof for retaliation?

In order to establish a prima facie case of retaliation, an employee must demonstrate: (1) the employee engaged in protected activity; (2) the employer engaged in an adverse action against the employee; and (3) there was a causal nexus between the protected activity and the alleged adverse action.

How to prove retaliation at work?

To prove retaliation, you must establish a causal connection between your protected activity and the adverse action taken by your employer. Provide evidence showing that the adverse action occurred shortly after you engaged in protected activity, demonstrating a direct link between the two events.

What is my manager not allowed to do?

Discrimination is at the top of the list of things your boss can't legally do. It's against the law to discriminate against employees because of their race, gender, religion, disability, or other protected categories. What can you do if you experience or witness discrimination?

What is an example of retaliation against an employee?

reprimand the employee or give a performance evaluation that is lower than it should be; transfer the employee to a less desirable position; engage in verbal or physical abuse; threaten to make, or actually make reports to authorities (such as reporting immigration status or contacting the police);

How to prove FMLA discrimination?

To establish an FMLA retaliation claim based on circumstantial evidence, a plaintiff must show: (1) she availed herself of a protected right under the FMLA; (2) she suffered an adverse employment action; and (3) there was a causal connection between the adverse action and protected activity.

Is it hard to fire someone on FMLA?

The Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) is a federal law meant to protect your job while you take time off for this very reason. The law prohibits employers from firing employees in retaliation for exercising their rights to use FMLA-protected leave.

How to win an FMLA lawsuit?

To win your case, you will likely need evidence to show:
  1. Eligibility: This evidence shows you worked for a qualifying employer for the required amount of time.
  2. Reason: This is evidence that your purpose for claiming the leave falls within the FMLA's specifications.

What is an example of FMLA abuse?

If an employee's health condition prevents them from performing strenuous physical labor, for example, they may still be able to perform light office duties at a second job. But if their responsibilities at another job are similar to the role they're on leave from, this could indicate employee abuse of FMLA leave.

What is the causation standard for FMLA retaliation?

After establishing “but-for” causation as the correct standard for FMLA retaliation claims, the court elaborated on what it entails, explaining that it “is established whenever a particular outcome would not have happened 'but for' the purported cause.” Thus, it directs the court to change one factor at a time and see ...

Can an employee be terminated after exhausting FMLA?

Once you have exhausted your FMLA leave, your job protection under FMLA no longer applies. Employers may choose to extend job-protected leave or offer alternatives, but it is not guaranteed. Check your employer's policies or consult with HR for specific options.

What is an example of unfair treatment?

Here are just a few examples of unfair treatment at work:

Demoting, transferring, or dismissing an employee without a fair, disciplinary process. Paying women lower wages for doing the same job, because of their sex. Firing or laying off older workers so the company can hire younger, cheaper workers to do their jobs.

What should I not tell my manager?

“I'm Overqualified for This.”

Telling your boss that you're overqualified for a task may come across as arrogant or ungrateful. Even if you feel the work is below your skill level, it's important to complete tasks with enthusiasm. Every job, no matter how small, contributes to the larger goal.

What is considered a hostile work environment?

A hostile work environment is one where the words and actions of a supervisor, manager or coworker negatively or severely impacts another employee's ability to complete their work. Any employee can be responsible for creating a hostile work environment.

What qualifies retaliation?

Retaliation occurs when an employer (through a manager, supervisor, administrator or directly) fires an employee or takes any other type of adverse action against an employee for engaging in protected activity.

Are retaliation cases hard to win?

Winning a retaliation case can be daunting, but it is possible when you have strong evidence on your side.

How do you know if your boss is retaliating against you?

Demotion: Any employer decision to lessen your status, limit responsibilities, curtail seniority privileges associated with your position, or reduce your salary, commission, or bonus can be evidence of retaliation.

Is retaliation easy to prove?

Although instances of retaliation aren't always simple to prove, it is far from an impossible feat. The best way to ensure you have a valid retaliation claim against your employer is to secure legal representation from an attorney who specializes in retaliation cases.

How to prove unfair treatment at work?

However, certain pieces of evidence can help you build your case, including employee records, witness statements, email notifications, pay stubs, or hiring policies. If you were wrongly treated at work due to protected categories, like age or race, it may be worth it to talk with an employment lawyer.

What is an example of retaliation claim?

Demanding unpaid overtime. Participating in internal or government investigations. Refusing to obey an order that a reasonable person would consider discriminatory or unsafe. Filing a complaint about a safety or health violation.