TrainingBriefs® Unintended Ethical Dilemma - Hearsay (Managers)

More employee lawsuits are being won on grounds of retaliation than for any other reason. Remember, retaliation means “revenge.” In employment law, it involves an employer taking an adverse action against an employee who has engaged in a legal activity—an activity that the law believes is in the public interest. When your company is sued for unlawful retaliation, it doesn't matter if you're right or wrong. If you go to trial, what matters is how the situation looks to a jury.

Preventing retaliation complaints is one of many ethical issues that come up in the workplace. Managers must understand and reinforce the organization’s commitment to consistency, fairness, confidentiality and non-retaliation in the organization. Managers must also uphold their organization’s policy of non-retaliation. When in doubt, use the L.E.A.D.™ model to assess your situation and to help determine the most appropriate action to take.