Q:
I feel like I’m being retaliated against for my EEO complaint. What are my rights?
A:
When a federal employee is retaliated against by his or her supervisor for filing an EEO claim, for otherwise participating in the EEO process, or for opposing discrimination, they may have a right to file a complaint and utilize the EEO process in order to investigate, and possibly remedy, the harms suffered via a supervisor’s retaliatory acts. Although trivial annoyances are not actionable, retaliatory treatment that is reasonably likely to deter protected activity is unlawful. A federal employee has 45 days from the date of the retaliatory action to contact an EEO counselor.
This response is written by Conor D. Dirks, associate attorney of Shaw Bransford & Roth P.C., a federal employment law firm.
Disclaimer: Ask a Lawyer publishes information on this website for informational purposes only. Information on this website is intended – but not promised, guaranteed, or warranted – to reflect correct, complete and current developments. In addition, the contents of the website do not constitute legal advice and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the attorney. Information from this website is not intended to be used as a substitute for specific legal advice, nor should you consider it as such. You should not act, or refrain from acting, based on information on this website without seeking specific legal advice about your particular circumstances. No attorney-client relationship between you and Ask a Lawyer’s author is created by the transmission of information to or from this site.
