Which of the following is a retaliation example?

• A. An employer terminates an employee after the employee opposed discriminatory practice.
• B. An employee reports a safety issue
• C. Management awards a bonus for good performance
• D. A new policy improves benefits for all staff

Answer: (A)

Retaliation occurs when an employer punishes an employee for engaging in a protected activity, such as opposing discrimination. In this scenario, the employer terminates an employee after the employee spoke out against discriminatory practices. The adverse action (termination) is directly linked to the protected activity (opposing discrimination), which is exactly what retaliation is. The other options describe actions that aren’t punishments for exercising rights—reporting a safety issue is a protective activity, while awarding a bonus or improving benefits are positive or neutral changes. So, the termination in response to opposing discrimination is the clear example of retaliation.