If you feel like you’ve been wronged in the workplace, whether through discrimination, harassment or retaliation, then you might be considering legal action. After all, suing your employer may be the only way to find accountability and recover the compensation that you need to offset any losses that have been unfairly thrust upon you.
The burden rests with you to prove that your employer has illegally acted against you, and you’re the one who is going to have to show how you’ve been harmed. Therefore, you’ll want to be thorough in the development of your case. Any misstep, even those that are seemingly minor, could threaten your claim.
Avoid these mistakes in your employment law case
Even though a claim of workplace discrimination, sexual harassment or retaliation may seem straightforward, these cases can be quite complex. As you proceed with your claim, you should be sure to avoid these all-too-common mistakes:
- Not reporting problematic behavior: If you think that you’ve been treated in a way that violated company policy or the law, then you should be sure to report it to your employer. This will not only hopefully bring the behavior to a stop, but it will also create a record of your concerns and how your employer responded to them.
- Not documenting everything: The more documentation you have, the better. After all, if you go into your case with nothing in writing, then it’s probably going to turn into a he-said, she-said situation, which may make your case weaker than it needs to be. So, try to communicate your concerns to your employer in writing and keep a journal of all problematic behavior that’s exhibited toward you.
- Trying to get back at your employer: It’s normal to be angry and frustrated after being exposed to harassment, discrimination, or retaliation. Therefore, you might have a desire to try to get back at your employer. But doing so might just get you into trouble and jeopardize your claim. Take comfort in knowing that you can hold your employer accountable through the legal system.
- Quitting: Remember, in addition to showing discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, you’ll also have to show the extent of your damages. But you might cut yourself short here if you voluntarily leave your job. As hard as it might be, try to stick it out until you can resolve your case.
- Foregoing legal action altogether: Some people give up on taking legal action against their employer. All too often, these individuals think that the behavior exhibited towards them was accidental or too minimal to warrant action. In other situations, they don’t want to go through the legal process and the stressors involved there. But filing a claim against your employer very well may be the only way to protect your rights.
Don’t let your employer get away with egregious behavior
Your employer needs to be held accountable for its actions. If you don’t take file a claim against them when warranted to do so, then you may actually encourage them to continue treating employees in an unfair fashion.
You don’t want that to happen, and you don’t want to lose out on the financial resources and career that you’ve worked hard to cultivate. So, if you want to protect your interests and the rights of others like you, then now is the time to take legal action. With the right knowledge and support by your side, you might be able to position yourself for success, thereby protecting your future.