SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/hipaa-no-retaliation

Can your employer punish you for filing a HIPAA complaint?

No. Retaliating against someone for filing a HIPAA complaint is not allowed.

Start playing free

  1. No, retaliation for a complaint is not allowed ✔
  2. Yes, if the complaint turns out to be wrong
  3. Yes, if you filed it during work hours

Why: A covered entity may not threaten, intimidate or retaliate against anyone for filing a HIPAA complaint or helping with an investigation.

Huh, didn't know that: The protection also covers testifying or helping in a HIPAA investigation.

The dad joke
Why was the worker not nervous about filing the complaint? The rules had her back.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: No, retaliation for a complaint is not allowed. A covered entity may not threaten, intimidate or retaliate against anyone for filing a HIPAA complaint or helping with an investigation.

  1. 45 CFR 160.316 (eCFR) www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-C/part-160/subpart-C/section-160.316
    may not threaten, intimidate, coerce, harass, discriminate against, or take any other retaliatory action against any individual
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  2. 45 CFR 164.530(g) (eCFR) www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-C/part-164/subpart-E/section-164.530
    including the filing of a complaint under this section
    Checked 2026-10-10.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

Work SkillsNurse Kim looks up her neighbor's chart out of curiosity. Is that allowed?Work SkillsTwo nurses need to discuss a patient in a hospital elevator. What should they do?Work SkillsIs posting patient photos or stories on social media allowed?

That's stuff everyone should know.