Retaliation in the Workplace: Know Your Rights in Atlantic County

Campbell Steven December 22, 2025No Comments

Every employee has the right to report wrongdoing, assert their legal rights, or support coworkers in doing the same—without fear of retaliation. Unfortunately, retaliation in the workplace is a common issue in New Jersey and across the country. If you work in Atlantic County and believe you were punished for speaking up or exercising your rights, you may have a strong legal claim.

What Is Workplace Retaliation?

Workplace retaliation occurs when an employer takes negative or adverse action against an employee for engaging in a legally protected activity. Examples of protected activities include:

Reporting harassment or discrimination
Filing a complaint with Human Resources or a government agency
Taking legally protected leave under the FMLA or NJFLA
Refusing to participate in illegal or unethical conduct
Supporting a coworker’s discrimination or whistleblower claim

Retaliation can take many forms, including termination, demotion, reduced hours, unfair discipline, negative performance reviews, or even subtle actions such as isolation or exclusion from key responsibilities.

New Jersey’s Legal Protections Against Retaliation

New Jersey law provides strong protections for employees. The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) and the Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA) make it illegal for employers to retaliate against workers who report or oppose unlawful conduct. These laws allow employees to pursue compensation and other remedies when retaliation occurs.

Recognizing the Signs of Retaliation

Some retaliation is obvious, but other forms can be more subtle. Warning signs may include:

Being excluded from meetings or decision-making processes
Sudden or unexplained changes to your work schedule or duties
Poor performance reviews that are inconsistent with your work history
Loss of bonuses, promotions, or growth opportunities without explanation

What Should You Do If You’re Retaliated Against?

If you believe you are experiencing retaliation, consider taking the following steps:

Keep a paper trail: Save emails, text messages, performance reviews, and document incidents with dates and details.
Follow company procedures: Report the retaliation internally through HR or management when appropriate.
Contact an attorney: An experienced employment lawyer can evaluate your case and guide you on next steps.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

A successful retaliation claim may allow you to recover:

Lost wages and employment benefits
Compensation for emotional distress
Job reinstatement (when appropriate)
Punitive damages in serious cases
Attorney’s fees and court costs

How Castronovo & McKinney Can Help

Castronovo & McKinney, Employment Law Attorneys represent employees throughout Atlantic County who have been retaliated against at work. Their legal team is known for standing up to employers who violate the law and for aggressively protecting employee rights while pursuing maximum compensation.

Contact Castronovo & McKinney, LLC Today

If you’ve faced retaliation for doing the right thing, you don’t have to handle it alone. Contact Castronovo & McKinney for a confidential consultation and learn how they can help you hold your employer accountable.