When You Need Attorneys That Understand Both Sides,
You Turn To Goldman & Ehrlich

Chicago Wrongful Termination Lawyers Serve Employees And Businesses

Rights are meaningless when intimidation prevents citizens from exercising them. Therefore, lawmakers have decided to protect employees who assert their rights in the workplace from any backlash from their employers. If you have engaged in a protected activity and are facing discipline up to and including termination of your employment, our Chicago employment attorneys at Goldman & Ehrlich are ready to help. For more than 30 years, they have fought to protect employees who freely exercise their rights. They have also defended businesses against unjust charges of retaliation. Their dual perspective on employment issues is a distinct advantage that they offer our clients in Illinois and southwestern Michigan. Let our team get started on your case right away by calling 312-332-6733 or filling out our contact form.

Retaliation Claims Forcefully Asserted

Federal law allows workers to present discrimination claims without fear of reprisals. According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): “Retaliation occurs when an employer, employment agency or labor organization takes an adverse action against a covered individual because he or she engaged in a protected activity.”

Protected activities include:

  • Complaining about alleged discrimination
  • Filing or threatening to file a discrimination charge
  • Opposing discriminatory practices
  • Refusing to obey an order you believe to be discriminatory
  • Cooperating with an investigation of discriminatory practices
  • Serving as a witness in an EEOC investigation or litigation

If, after engaging in a protected activity, you find yourself receiving unjustifiably negative performance reviews or questionable disciplinary action, you may be the target of retaliation from your employer. Acts of retaliation can also include termination, denial of promotion, threats, unjustified negative references and increased surveillance.

Federal Whistleblower Protection

The federal government has decided that it is good public policy to encourage “whistleblowers” to come forward with evidence of illegal activity in their place of employment. Many federal statutes provide protection, including:

  • Sarbanes-Oxley Act: This provides protection for employees who report violations of federal regulations governing securities fraud.
  • False Claims Act: Private citizens with evidence of fraud against the government may sue a defendant on behalf of the government and share from 15% to 25% of the recovered money.
  • Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA): This act protects employees who complain to their employers, unions, OSHA or other agencies about unsafe or unhealthy workplace conditions.
  • Federal Whistleblower Protection Act: This protects federal whistleblowers, including government employees, who report government agency misconduct or fraud.
  • Lloyd-La Follette Act: This allows civil service employees to give information to Congress or a member of Congress without interference from superiors.

Our Chicago wrongful termination lawyers can effectively assert your rights to whistleblower protection.

Defense Of Businesses Charged With Retaliation

Just because an employee has engaged in protected activity does not mean that they cannot be disciplined or fired for engaging in misconduct. Before disciplining an employee who engaged in protected activity, it is wise to first consult with our team at Goldman & Ehrlich to make sure that you are not violating any laws against retaliation. Our attorneys can defend companies accused of retaliatory behavior.

Don’t Let Your Claim Go Unheard

If you have engaged in protected activity and feel targeted for undeserved and illegal discipline in the workplace, or if you represent a business charged with retaliation toward an employee, call Goldman & Ehrlich at 312-332-6733 or contact our Chicago office online.