Adverse Action – What It Really Means for Workers

Under general protections laws, adverse action means someone takes, plans, or threatens harmful action against you in the workplace. This often comes from an employer, but it can also be from a co-worker, union, or even a prospective boss.

Adverse action can include:

• Dismissal

• Cutting your shifts or hours

• Injuring you in your job (for example, by demotion or exclusion)

• Discriminating against you

• Refusing to hire you or offering unfair terms

• Ending or refusing a contractor’s engagement

• Employees taking industrial action against an employer

But not all harmful actions are “adverse action”. For example, rejecting a job applicant due to lack of required qualifications or making a genuine redundancy won’t count.

To be unlawful, the action must be taken for a prohibited reason, like because you raised a workplace issue, took leave, or used a workplace right. If you believe this has happened, you may be able to lodge a general protections application.