Retaliation is the most frequently alleged basis of retaliation and the most common discrimination finding in federal sector cases. If you asserted your right or the right of others to be free of employment discrimination–including harassment–then you are protected from retaliation. It could be unlawful if because of your opposition to the employer’s discrimination, you are:

• reprimanded or given a performance evaluation that is lower than it should be;
• transferred to a less desirable position;
• subject to verbal or physical abuse;
• subject to threats of making or actual reports to authorities (such as reporting immigration status or contacting the police);
• subject to increased scrutiny;
• subject to false rumors, or your family member is treated negatively; or
• your work is made more difficult.