Sophia Serrao
Fri, 06/24/2022
The Chicago Commission on Human Relations recently amended the Chicago Human Rights Ordinance to expand sexual harassment protections and require employers to implement annual anti-harassment training programs for employees. The amended ordinance now explicitly includes sexual misconduct under the definition of sexual harassment. The ordinance will be effective on July 1, 2022, and requires employers to have a written sexual harassment policy and posters against sexual harassment on display in the workplace by that date.
The sexual harassment policy must include: a statement that sexual harassment and retaliation is illegal; the definition and examples of sexual harassment; instructions on reporting procedures; information about any legal services available to employees facing sexual harassment; and a notice statement of required participation in annual employee sexual harassment prevention and bystander training. This notice requirement must be written in the employee’s primary language.
Employees will now have 365 days (up from 300 days) to report all forms of discrimination to the Chicago Commission on Human Relations, including sexual harassment. The amendment also increases the penalty for violations of the ordinance, including a larger fine amount if an employer fails to comply.
If you think you are facing discrimination and/or sexual harassment at your workplace, contact us for help.
