You depend on your job to provide for yourself and your family. It is typically where you spend the greatest amount of your time. When your employer, manager, or co-workers engage in discriminatory and harassing actions, it creates a hostile work environment. This can impact your success in your career, your financial security, and your overall well-being. Our Chicago workplace harassment attorney explains common types of harassment and laws in place to protect you.Â
Common Types of Workplace Harassment in Illinois
According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), close to 80,000 incidents of workplace harassment and discrimination are reported each year. Tens of thousands of other victimized employees likely fail to file a report due to fear of retaliation from their employer or other company employees.Â
Sexual harassment is one of the most common problems reported. It can involve unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, making comments of a sexual nature, inappropriate touching, and any type of harassing behavior based on the employee’s gender. In today’s workforce, men and women both can be targeted and it can have serious impacts on both their personal and mental health, as well as their overall success on the job or in their careers.Â
Unfortunately, while it is one of the most common, sexual harassment is not the only type of harassment in the workplace. Attitudes, comments, and actions designed to discriminate against you and create a hostile work environment may be based around any of the following:Â Â
- Your age;
- Your citizenship status;
- Your nationality;
- Your race or religion;
- Your sexual orientation;
- Your status as a disabled individual.Â
Laws That Protect You Against Harassment in the Workplace
There are laws that can protect you against harassment based on your gender or any of the other factors listed above. The Illinois Human Rights Act mandates the following of all employers in the state:Â
- Requires them to provide sexual harassment prevention training to all employees on a yearly basis;
- Prohibits them from engaging in or allowing harassment based on the employee’s membership in a protected class;
- Allows employees to file claims when harassment does occur and prevents employers from taking retaliatory actions against them. Â
A workplace harassment lawsuit can help address problems in the workplace. It can also reinstate you in your job while requiring your employer to take additional actions, such as paying lost wages and any other expenses you incurred as a result.Â
Our Chicago Workplace Harassment Attorneys are Here to Help You
If you are experiencing any type of harassment in the workplace, The Law Office of Mitchell A. Kline can provide the professional legal representation you need to protect your rights and your job. Call or contact our Chicago workplace harassment attorneys online to request a confidential consultation today.
