According To The Federal Agencies, Retaliation Claims Have Risen Each Year For The Last 20 Years.
On Nov. 10, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a joint initiative to protect workers against retaliation. The initiative began Nov. 17, 2021.
These agencies view worker retaliation as a “persistent and urgent problem” in the workplace and indicate that retaliation cases have increased each year over the last 20 years.
Virtual Employer Dialogue
The three agencies will cooperate to enforce federal laws that protect workers who raise their concerns or speak out about their pay, workplace health and safety issues, discrimination or other working conditions. The agencies’ concerted efforts will focus on:
- Educating the public about worker rights and unlawful retaliation;
- Initiating a virtual dialogue with employers, trade and business associations, labororganizations and civil rights groups about the importance of employee anti-retaliationprotections; and
- Forcefully protecting workers from retaliatory acts.
Impact on Employers
While this announcement does not create any new employer obligations, it provides an opportunity for employers to review their anti-retaliation workplace policies and procedures. In addition, employers should monitor future communications from these agencies to learn more about the agencies’ focus and priorities for this joint initiative