The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) protects employees not only from discrimination, but also from being retaliated against by employers for bringing forth those claims. As defined by the EEOC:

"Covered individuals are people who have opposed unlawful practices, participated in proceedings, or requested accommodations related to employment discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, or disability. Individuals who have a close association with someone who has engaged in such protected activity also are covered individuals. For example, it is illegal to terminate an employee because his spouse participated in employment discrimination litigation."

In 2010, retaliation claims to the EEOC outnumbered any other type of claim, as seen in the graph below:

For more information and examples of retaliation, visit the EEOC's Facts about Retaliation or contact Nextep's HR Department at hr@nextep.com or 888-811-5150.