People sometimes mix up workplace retaliation and discrimination, but they are not the same. Both can make a job feel unfair, but they happen for different reasons. Knowing the difference can help you understand if you’re being treated unfairly.
What is workplace discrimination?
Discrimination happens when an employer treats someone unfairly because of race, gender, age, religion, disability, or where they come from. Texas and federal laws say bosses can’t make decisions based on these personal traits. Discrimination can happen when hiring, promoting, paying, or firing workers.
For example, if someone does a great job but doesn’t get promoted just because of their age, that’s discrimination. The same thing happens if a company pays men and women differently even though they do the same work.
What is workplace retaliation?
Retaliation occurs when a boss punishes workers for standing up for their rights. This includes reporting harassment, filing a complaint, or helping in an investigation. Retaliation can take the form of being fired, demoted, paid less, or receiving bad performance reviews for no real reason.
For example, if a worker reports unsafe work conditions and suddenly receives worse hours or a pay cut, that could be retaliation. Unlike discrimination, retaliation involves punishing someone for what they do, not who they are.
What does Texas law say about this?
Texas and federal laws make both retaliation and discrimination illegal. The Texas Labor Code and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act protect workers from discrimination. Retaliation is also against the law under the Texas Whistleblower Act and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) rules.
If you face discrimination or retaliation, you may be able to file a complaint with the EEOC or the Texas Workforce Commission. Understanding these laws can help you figure out what to do if you’re treated unfairly.
