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California Employment Law Glossary

Retaliation for Discrimination Complaints
Retaliation

 

Definition


 

Filing a complaint about workplace discrimination - whether internally to HR, externally to the Civil Rights Department, or through any other protected channel - is a protected activity under California's FEHA. Any materially adverse employment action taken because of that complaint constitutes illegal retaliation, even if the underlying discrimination claim is not ultimately proven. This is an independent cause of action that can be pursued alongside or separately from the discrimination claim.


Frequently Asked Questions

Document the timeline between your complaint and the termination, gather any related communications, and speak with an attorney promptly, since retaliation claims often stand even if the underlying discrimination claim is harder to prove.

Yes. Reporting discrimination internally to HR is a protected activity, and punishing you for it violates FEHA, regardless of the outcome of the underlying complaint.

Think this applies to you?

You have a legal right to report discrimination without fear of consequences. Get a free case review if you were punished for speaking up.
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This glossary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship with Lawyers for Employee and Consumer Rights. Laws change - for advice specific to your situation, contact our office for a free case review.