Allegations of retaliation can put your business in jeopardy. If your company receives a complaint of discrimination, you may feel frustrated. However, the most important thing for you is to listen and treat all your employees with respect, particularly those who complain.
You should never attempt to punish someone who makes a complaint. According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, retaliation is illegal. You can take various steps to avoid accusations of retaliation from your employees.
Perform your obligations as the employer
You have a responsibility to oppose all forms of discrimination in your company. You cannot retaliate against a person who complains, files a charge of discrimination, files a complaint or participates in an investigation. Ensure your employees know they can come to you with any complaints or concerns about discrimination.
Treat all of your employees with respect and dignity
You should treat every employee consistently. Never treat an employee differently if he or she reported discrimination or assisted in an investigation. If you make any decisions that could negatively affect employees, consider your past practices. Are your actions consistent? Always hold your employees accountable.
Train your employees to understand the discrimination policies
To reduce the risk of discrimination in the office, it’s helpful to train your employees to understand the different forms of discrimination and your company’s discrimination policy. Let everyone know that you do not support retaliation and you will not tolerate retaliation. For instance, if you have an employee that makes a complaint against a supervisor, you should ensure the supervisor does nothing to retaliate against the person and thoroughly investigate the claim.
If someone complains to you, make sure you act promptly to all concerns.
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