Chief’s Counsel: When Does a Petty Slight Ripen into Retaliation under Title VII?

Have you ever transferred an employee or denied his request for training because he was a constant complainer? Have you ever excluded a problem employee from a weekly training lunch because she is such a pain in the neck? Finally, have you ever denied an officer’s request for a shift change because of a minor personal dig directed at you? Under some circumstances, such management actions could constitute illegal retaliation.