Woodbridge Township Retaliation Claims: Protecting Employees Who Speak Up
Woodbridge Township Retaliation Claims: Protecting Employees Who Speak Up
Speaking up about discrimination, harassment, safety concerns, or wage violations should not cost you your job. Yet retaliation remains one of the most common workplace violations in New Jersey. If you live or work in Woodbridge Township and believe you were punished for asserting your rights, consulting an experienced Employment Lawyer can help you evaluate your claim.
Castronovo & McKinney, LLC focuses exclusively on employment law and represents employees throughout Woodbridge Township and across New Jersey in retaliation and wrongful termination cases. The firm is committed to protecting individuals who take lawful action in the workplace.
What Is Workplace Retaliation?
Retaliation occurs when an employer takes adverse action against an employee because the employee engaged in protected activity. Protected activity may include:
- Reporting discrimination or harassment
- Filing a complaint with human resources
- Requesting family or medical leave
- Complaining about unpaid overtime or wage issues
- Whistleblowing under the Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA)
- Participating in a workplace investigation
New Jersey law prohibits employers from punishing employees for exercising these rights.
Common Forms of Retaliation
Retaliation is not limited to termination. It may also involve:
- Demotion or reassignment to less desirable duties
- Reduction in pay or work hours
- Unwarranted disciplinary action
- Negative performance evaluations after positive history
- Exclusion from meetings or advancement opportunities
Even subtle changes in treatment can support a claim if they would discourage a reasonable employee from asserting their legal rights.
Timing and Evidence
The timing of adverse action often plays a key role in retaliation claims. If discipline or termination closely follows a complaint or protected request, that sequence may suggest unlawful motive.
Castronovo & McKinney reviews employment records, performance evaluations, complaint documentation, and internal communications to determine whether retaliation occurred.
Retaliation and Wrongful Termination
Although New Jersey follows at-will employment principles, employers cannot lawfully fire an employee for engaging in protected activity. If your termination occurred after reporting misconduct or asserting statutory rights, you may have both retaliation and wrongful termination claims.
Careful legal analysis is essential to distinguish between legitimate performance-based decisions and unlawful retaliation.
Damages Available in Retaliation Cases
Employees who prevail in retaliation claims may be entitled to:
- Back pay and lost wages
- Front pay for future income loss
- Reinstatement to prior position
- Emotional distress damages
- Punitive damages in certain cases
- Attorneys’ fees and litigation costs
These remedies are designed to compensate employees and deter future misconduct.
Acting Promptly to Protect Your Rights
Retaliation claims are subject to strict deadlines. Preserving written complaints, emails, performance reviews, and other documentation can significantly strengthen your case.
Castronovo & McKinney represents clients throughout Woodbridge Township, Bergen County, Essex County, Middlesex County, Morris County, and surrounding communities. The firm prepares each matter strategically, whether pursuing negotiated resolutions or litigation.
Contact Castronovo & McKinney, LLC
If you believe you have experienced retaliation in Woodbridge Township, seek experienced legal guidance without delay.
Castronovo & McKinney, LLC
71 Maple Ave
Morristown, NJ 07960
Phone: 973-920-7888
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Schedule a consultation to discuss your situation and learn how focused employment law representation can help protect your workplace rights and professional future.