Speaking up about wrongdoing at work takes courage — but for many California employees, it also comes with consequences. When employers respond to honesty with punishment, it’s more than unethical — it’s illegal.
At Smith & Reback, we help employees who’ve faced retaliation for reporting harassment, discrimination, wage theft, or any kind of workplace misconduct. If you were punished for doing the right thing, the law is on your side — and we’re here to make sure it’s enforced.
What Is Retaliation in the Workplace?
Workplace retaliation happens when an employer takes adverse action against an employee for engaging in a legally protected activity — such as reporting harassment, unsafe practices, or discrimination.
Retaliation can appear in many forms, including:
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Sudden termination or demotion after filing a complaint
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Pay cuts or shift changes as “punishment”
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Negative performance reviews with no valid reason
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Being excluded from meetings or opportunities
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Harassment or intimidation after cooperating in an investigation
If any of this happened shortly after you spoke up, it’s not a coincidence — it’s retaliation, and it violates California law.
Your Rights Under California Law
California provides some of the strongest whistleblower protections in the nation. Under California Labor Code §1102.5 and the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees who:
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Report harassment or discrimination
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File complaints about unpaid wages or unsafe work conditions
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Participate in investigations or testify against the company
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Refuse to engage in illegal or unethical activities
Even if your complaint turns out to be unsubstantiated, as long as you reported it in good faith, you are protected from retaliation.
Why Retaliation Claims Matter
Retaliation doesn’t just affect your career — it affects your confidence, income, and mental well-being. Losing your job for telling the truth can leave you feeling powerless and isolated. But you don’t have to face it alone.
At Smith & Reback, we’ve seen firsthand how retaliation damages lives — and how justice restores them. Our attorneys fight to recover lost wages, emotional distress damages, and sometimes punitive damages against employers who abuse their power.
How We Help Employees Fight Back
Our firm has decades of experience representing employees in retaliation and whistleblower cases across California. When you contact Smith & Reback, we:
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Listen carefully to your story and evaluate your claim confidentially
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Gather evidence such as emails, timelines, and witness statements
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Handle all communication with your employer or HR
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Build a powerful legal strategy to pursue settlement or litigation
We approach every case with precision, empathy, and relentless commitment to justice — because doing the right thing should never cost you your livelihood.
Why Choose Smith & Reback
We represent employees only — never corporations. Our firm has recovered millions in settlements and verdicts for workers wrongfully terminated or punished for speaking up. We’re known for our integrity, transparency, and fierce advocacy both in and out of court.
You’ve already shown courage by taking a stand. Now let us fight for your right to be heard and protected.
Call Us Today — Protect Your Rights
If you believe you were fired, demoted, or mistreated for speaking up, don’t wait. The law limits how long you have to file a retaliation claim, and early action makes a difference.
📞 Call Smith & Reback at 818-382-4000 or schedule a free, confidential consultation today.
Our experienced employment attorneys will help you understand your options, protect your rights, and pursue the justice you deserve.
At Smith & Reback, we stand with the brave — and we fight for what’s right.
