Retaliates by refusing to work for, in return? (7,4)

I believe the answer is:

strikes back

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'retaliates' is the definition.
('strike back' can be a synonym of 'retaliate')

'refusing to work for in return?' is the wordplay.
'refusing to work' becomes 'strikes' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'for' says to put letters next to each other.
'in return?' becomes 'back' ('back' can be a synonym of 'in return').
'strikes'+'back'='STRIKES BACK'

'by' acts as a link.

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I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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