Final answer:
Legal protections exist to prevent employer retaliation when you use your rights in the workplace. Laws forbid any sort of employment discrimination, and agencies like OSHA allow for complaints to be filed if retaliation does occur.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you exercise your rights in the workplace, there are legal protections in place to prevent retaliation by an employer, such as impeding promotions.
The law forbids discrimination in any aspect of employment, which includes not only hiring and firing but also promotions, training, and benefits. If an employer does retaliate, the employee can file a complaint for employment discrimination or report the issue to the relevant authorities, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
OSHA, for example, allows current workers or their representatives to ask for an inspection of their workplace if there's a belief of a serious hazard or that OSHA standards are not being followed. Retaliation or discrimination against workers for using their OSHA rights is prohibited by law, and workers have the right to file a complaint with OSHA if they have been discriminated against as a result.
Similarly, other laws are designed to prevent retaliation for reporting various types of employment violations, including wage discrimination.
It's important to note that these protections can vary based on jurisdiction, and it is advisable to consult a lawyer or employment advisor for specific legal advice pertaining to your situation.
Moreover, there is always the potential for subtle forms of retaliation that are harder to prove legally, so it is important to document your situations and possible cases of discrimination thoroughly.