Retaliation for Reporting Sexual Harassment

Many employees fear that reporting harassment will cost them their job — and sometimes it does. That is itself illegal. Federal and Texas law prohibit employer retaliation against employees who report harassment, participate in investigations, or oppose discriminatory practices. If you were demoted, terminated, reassigned, or otherwise punished after reporting harassment, you may have a separate retaliation claim in addition to your harassment claim.

Whistleblower Protection for Dallas Employees

A whistleblower is an employee who reports illegal activity, regulatory violations, fraud, or unsafe practices — either internally to their employer or externally to a government agency. Whistleblowing often requires real courage, and the law is designed to protect those who step forward.

What Laws Protect Dallas Whistleblowers?

Several federal and Texas statutes protect employees who report misconduct, including:

• Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) — protects employees of publicly traded companies who report securities fraud or financial misconduct
• Dodd-Frank Act — protects individuals who report violations to the SEC and may entitle them to financial awards
• False Claims Act — protects employees who report fraud against the federal government, with potential financial recovery (qui tam lawsuits)
• OSHA Whistleblower Programs — cover dozens of industries including healthcare, transportation, nuclear energy, and environmental compliance
• Texas Labor Code, Chapter 554 — protects public employees in Texas who report violations of law to a supervisor or governmental body

Whether you work in the financial sector, healthcare, energy, government contracting, or any other industry, our Dallas whistleblower attorneys can help you understand which protections apply to your situation.

Common Types of Whistleblower Cases We Handle in Dallas

Dallas's diverse and high-volume economy means a wide range of potential violations — and a wide range of employees who may need protection for reporting them. Our firm handles whistleblower cases involving:

• Securities fraud and financial misconduct
• Medicare/Medicaid billing fraud and healthcare fraud
• Workplace safety violations
• Environmental violations
• Government contractor fraud
• Internal accounting fraud or falsified records
• Retaliation for reporting harassment or discrimination

If you are an executive who witnessed and reported wrongdoing, our firm also has extensive experience handling executive whistleblower cases where high compensation, equity, and complex employment contracts are at stake.

What Retaliation Looks Like After Whistleblowing

Employers sometimes take subtle or overt steps against employees who report misconduct. Retaliation can include:

• Termination or constructive discharge
• Demotion or elimination of responsibilities
• Exclusion from meetings, projects, or advancement opportunities
• Sudden negative performance reviews without basis
• Hostile treatment or isolation by management
• Pay cuts or denial of bonuses

If you experienced any of these changes after reporting wrongdoing or cooperating with an investigation, you may have a valid whistleblower retaliation claim. Document everything and contact our Dallas whistleblower lawyers immediately — deadlines to file can be as short as 60 to 180 days depending on the applicable statute.

Why Dallas Employees Choose Shellist Lazarz Slobin

Our firm's founding partners are Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization — a distinction held by fewer than 3% of Texas attorneys. Our team has been recognized by Super Lawyers, Avvo, and U.S. News Best Law Firms. More importantly, we have a track record of real results for real clients.

We understand what is at stake when you bring a harassment or whistleblower claim. Your career, your livelihood, and your sense of justice are all on the line. We take that seriously. Every client at our firm receives individualized attention and a strategy built around their unique situation — not a cookie-cutter approach.

We represent:

• Employees who have been harassed, retaliated against, or wrongfully terminated
• Executives navigating complex whistleblower situations or separation agreements
• Qui tam relators in False Claims Act cases

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a sexual harassment claim in Dallas?

In Texas, most employees have 180 days to file with the Texas Workforce Commission Civil Rights Division and 300 days to file with the EEOC. Missing these deadlines can limit or eliminate your ability to pursue a claim, so it is critical to act quickly. Contact our team to get started.

What if I am afraid of losing my job for reporting harassment?

Retaliation for reporting sexual harassment is illegal under both federal and Texas law. If your employer punishes you for making a complaint or participating in an investigation, that retaliation itself may be the basis for an additional legal claim. Our attorneys can help you protect yourself and document any retaliation that occurs.

Can I be a whistleblower if I am an at-will employee in Texas?

Yes. Texas is an at-will employment state, but numerous federal and state laws carve out specific protections for whistleblowers that override at-will status. The applicable protections depend on what you reported, who you reported it to, and your industry. Speak with a Dallas whistleblower attorney to evaluate your specific situation.

Does my employer have to know who made the report for me to be protected?

Not necessarily. Many whistleblower statutes protect employees based on the act of reporting, not whether the employer knows exactly who reported. However, the strength of a retaliation claim often depends on demonstrating that your employer knew or suspected you were the source. Our attorneys can help assess the facts of your case.

What compensation may I recover in a sexual harassment or whistleblower case?

Depending on the facts of your case and the applicable law, you may be entitled to recover lost wages and back pay, front pay, compensatory damages for emotional distress, punitive damages, reinstatement, and attorney's fees. In certain whistleblower cases — particularly under Dodd-Frank or the False Claims Act — substantial financial awards may also be available.

Related Practice Areas

• Sexual Harassment
• Quid Pro Quo Harassment
• Hostile Work Environment
• Employer Retaliation
• Whistleblower (Employee)
• Executive Whistleblowers
• Discrimination & Retaliation
• EEOC Claims
• Wrongful Termination
• Gender / Sex Discrimination

Contact Our Dallas Sexual Harassment and Whistleblower Attorneys

You do not have to face your employer alone. The Dallas employment lawyers at Shellist Lazarz Slobin LLP are ready to listen, advise, and advocate on your behalf — from the initial consultation to the resolution of your case.

Call (972) 303-8830 or contact us online to schedule your confidential consultation.

Dallas Office:    
3710 Rawlins
Suite 1420
Dallas, TX 75219

Houston Office:    
5373 W. Alabama
Suite 600
Houston, TX 77056