Law Offices of Dan A. Atkerson

Texas Worker Files Lawsuit for Retaliation – Know Your Rights!

Jun 1, 2015 @ 01:00 PM — by Dan Atkerson
Tagged with: Employment Law Harassment

Federal laws prevent employers from retaliating against employees who cooperate with investigators looking into company abuses, but despite this, a Texas man is filing a lawsuit after suffering exactly that.

The worker was employed with ABM Janitorial Services through a second-chance program for former prisoners. He worked as a supervisor.

In June 2014, the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division began an investigation of ABM after workers complained that the company was not paying wages to employees who were on breaks. The company was eventually ordered to give back pay to employees, and shortly after the plaintiff claims to have suffered unlawful harassment and retaliation as a result of his testimony in support of other employees.

After the harassment, the employee complained to his supervisor and shortly thereafter was demoted and given longer routes, increasing the difficulty of his work. He was then accused of taking drugs and submitted to a drug test, which came back negative. After having his job changed again, he left to work at Wells Fargo, but upon arrival for his first day of work was terminated for his criminal background.

Cooperating with investigators is a lawful, protected activity and should not invite harassment and retaliation. If you believe you have been unlawfully retaliated against at work, do not hesitate to contact an employment law attorney.

Atkerson LawDallas Employment Law Attorney

Source: http://setexasrecord.com/news/303410-man-sues-over-alleged-workplace-retaliation