Avoiding engaging in retaliation involves refraining from taking punitive or adverse actions against someone in response to their legally protected behavior, complaint, or report. Retaliation includes behaviors such as demotion, termination, negative performance reviews, denial of promotions or raises, excessive micromanagement, exclusion from meetings or social events, reassignment to less favorable duties or shifts, salary reductions, bullying or harassment, and creating an unsafe or uncomfortable work environment. These actions are often taken as punishment for legally protected activities such as reporting workplace discrimination, harassment, or violations of laws. Avoiding retaliation means not engaging in or encouraging any of these negative behaviors to punish someone for asserting their rights or reporting wrongdoing in the workplace.