Which scenario best describes retaliation in the workplace?

• A. Withholding or threatening to withhold a favorable employment action after an employee complains
• B. Giving a promotion after an employee complains
• C. Ignoring a complaint without action
• D. Terminating an employee for unrelated poor performance

Answer: (A)

Retaliation occurs when an employer punishes or threatens to punish an employee for engaging in a protected activity, such as filing a complaint about discrimination or safety concerns. Withholding or threatening to withhold a favorable employment action after someone complains directly ties the punishment to the protected activity, showing an intent to punish for speaking up. That’s the clearest example of retaliation and is often illegal under anti-retaliation laws and workplace policies.

The other scenarios don’t show punishment for making a complaint: giving a promotion after a complaint is positive treatment rather than punishment; ignoring a complaint without action is neglect or failure to address the issue, not a punitive response; and terminating for unrelated poor performance is a standard performance action if truly unrelated to the complaint and not connected to the protected activity.