Worried about retaliation at work?
If you think you’re being punished or threatened for talking with coworkers about work, or for union activity, talk to a person soon. Deadlines apply. This page can’t tell you whether a law covers your situation; the people below can help you find out.
If you can, use your own phone on your own data, not a work device or work Wi-Fi. Work devices and networks can be monitored.
First
- Write down what happened: dates, what was said or done, and who was there. Keep it on paper or your own device, not on a work computer, work phone or work account.
- You don’t need to talk to coworkers before you ask for help.
If you work for a private employer
- The NLRB says most private-sector employees are covered by the National Labor Relations Act. It says the Act does not cover government employees, agricultural laborers, independent contractors or, with limited exceptions, supervisors.
- The NLRB says employees have the right to act together to improve pay and working conditions whether or not their workplace has a union.
- The NLRB says the deadline to file a charge is six months from the event. Charges are filed with a regional office, and its information officers usually help.
- The NLRB says you can call 844-762-6572 to reach a regional office for help with filing.
- The NLRB says an employer may not legally retaliate against employees for filing a charge or taking part in an NLRB investigation.
- The NLRB’s website says employees are protected by the Act regardless of immigration status.
- NLRB: questions and answers
- NLRB: find a regional office
- NLRB: interference with employee rights
- NLRB: how charges are investigated
If you work for a government, a railroad or an airline
Different laws, agencies and deadlines apply. The directory lists the agencies we have checked. Ask the agency, or an organizer, about your deadline in your first conversation.
Unpaid wages, safety or discrimination
The NLRB says those go to other government agencies, and lists them.
Talk with an organizer
Ask the AFL-CIO for an organizer
AFL-CIO
The AFL-CIO’s “Contact a Union Organizer” form. It asks for an organizer to get in touch with you about forming a union.
A request for contact, not a confirmed union match, representation offer or response guarantee. The form asks for your name, email, phone, ZIP code, employer’s name, type of work, how many people you work with and the best time to reach you; most of these are required. Read it before you share. If you already have a union, the AFL-CIO suggests contacting your local union directly. A box that signs you up for AFL-CIO email updates is ticked by default; untick it if you don’t want them.
Last checked
Talk through a workplace concern
Emergency Workplace Organizing Committee
EWOC’s support form is a way to request a conversation with a workplace organizer.
General organizing support; availability and fit must be confirmed with EWOC. Its external form asks for identifying and workplace information. Review what it requests before sharing. UnionRoute makes no promise about outside confidentiality.
Last checked
UnionRoute is not a law firm, a union or a government agency, and has not reviewed your situation. Each statement above links to the agency that made it.
NLRB pages last checked .