Retaliation is the most common complaint filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), making up over 56% of all charges annually. When employees feel unsafe to speak up when something is wrong, it damages trust, psychological safety, and team morale. This training course by Diversity Builder, Inc. helps organizations prevent retaliation, comply with employment laws, and create a workplace culture of respect and safety. Diversity Builder has trained corporations, the United States Military, and local governments on anti-retaliatory practices.
Why is anti-retaliation training needed?
Training may be required by the state, the federal government, the military retaliation prevention act, or an EEOC finding following a retaliation complaint and recommendation.
Diversity Builder’s anti-retaliation training empowers employees, managers, and HR professionals to recognize and address retaliation while promoting fairness, psychological safety, and organizational integrity.
What is the definition of retaliation?
Retaliation takes place when an employer or manager takes a significant adverse action after and due to a job applicant or employee asserting their rights in situations protected by the EEOC regulations. Asserting rights is considered a protected activity according to the EEOC.
What You Will Learn in Avoiding Workplace Retaliation
Here is a brief overview of the objectives employees and managers will learn in the Avoiding Retaliation in the Workplace course:
- What retaliation looks like and how it manifests in the workplace
- Which employee actions are legally protected under Title VII, ADA, and ADEA
- How retaliation affects psychological safety and workplace culture
- Best practices for preventing retaliation and promoting accountability
- Review current harassment and retaliation policy
- How to report retaliation internally and externally
Ask about Avoiding Retaliation Training
Who Should Attend?
- Leaders, Managers & Supervisors
- Human Resources and Compliance Teams
- Equity and Engagement Officers and Employee Resource Group (ERG) Leaders
- All Employees and Team Members
Course Outline
1. Foundations of Psychological Safety
- Why psychological safety is essential for engagement and innovation
- How to create an environment where feedback and concerns are welcomed
2. Understanding Retaliation
- Definition and examples of retaliatory behavior
- How fear of retaliation stifles workplace inclusion
- How retaliation relates to harassment and hostile work environments
- Common examples: demotions, job terminations, project exclusion, negative performance reviews
3. Legal Protections and Employee Rights
- Overview of Title VII, ADA, and ADEA
- Protected employee actions:
- Filing internal or external complaints
- Participating in investigations
- Answering questions related to a harassment complaint
- Not following orders that would result in discriminatory practices
- Requesting disability accommodations
- Requesting accommodations for religious practices
- Reporting harassment or discrimination
4. Recognizing Retaliation
- Decreased responsibilities post-reporting
- Sudden negative reviews after complaints
- Exclusion from meetings or team communication
5. Preventing Retaliation
- Building clear policies and transparent reporting systems
- Encouraging upstander/bystander intervention
- Timely responses to complaints
- Creating accountability through consistent follow-up
6. How to Report Retaliation
- Internal reporting channels (e.g., HR, supervisors)
- External reporting through the EEOC
- Documenting retaliation and knowing timelines
- Support resources for affected employees
7. Culture Shift: From Compliance to Commitment
- Why compliance alone isn’t enough
- Creating continuous feedback loops
- Embedding anti-retaliation values into daily leadership practices
Why Choose Diversity Builder?
Diversity Builder, Inc. offers dynamic, legally-informed retaliation prevention training that meets organizations where they are—whether just starting out or ready to transform. Our facilitators blend legal compliance with cultural transformation, delivering practical tools to protect employees and advance workplace fairness and respect
Available Formats:
- Live Virtual Training (Zoom, Teams, etc.)
- In-Person Workshops
- Live Coaching
- Customized Sessions for Industry & Audience
Ready to Get Started?
Contact Diversity Builder, Inc. today to schedule your Avoiding Retaliation in the Workplace training. Together, let’s build safer, more respectful, and more accountable workplaces.