CBA Record November-December 2021

The Chicago Bar Association

Lawyers’ Resources to Stop Sexual Harassment What is Sexual Harassment in the Workplace? Sexual harassment is any unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors or any conduct of a sexual nature when: (1) submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment, (2) submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individual, or (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment. -Illinois Human Rights Act What To Do If You Have Been Sexually Harassed • Document every incident and keep your performance records. • Report the incident by filing a formal complaint with your employer and the Illinois ARDC, if the harassment was perpetrated by an attorney. • In government offices, make a formal complaint through your agency’s assigned Human Resources Department, Ethics Officer, the Office of the Executive Inspector General, and/or the Office of the Legislative Inspector General. • Report the incident to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Illinois Department of Human Rights within 300 days of the incident. You can request that your identity remain confidential. • In federal government offices, contact an EEO Counselor within 45 days of the incident. • In law schools or universities, contact the Title IX Coordinator. Reasons to Report Sexual Harassment • Sexual harassment impacts your career, mental health, and well-being. • Reporting this illegal conduct can stop an individual from sexually harassing another person. • Calling out sexual harassment when you see it can help those who cannot react in the moment. • Illinois Rule of Professional Conduct 8.3: Lawyers have a duty to report any misconduct by another attorney as well as a judge. Important Contact Information • State of Illinois Confidential Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Helpline : www2.illinois.gov/sites/ sexualharassment; 877/236-7703 • Illinois Department of Human Rights : www2.illinois.gov/dhr; 312/814-6262 • Office of the Executive Inspector General : www2.illinois.gov/oeig; 866/814-1113 • Office of the Legislative Inspector General : www.ilga.gov/commission/lig; 217/558-1560 • U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission : www.eeoc.gov; 800/669-4000 • Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission : www.iardc.org; 312/565-2600 If you have been sexually harassed, it’s not your fault.

Content provided by the CBA Sexual Harassment Prevention Task Force

The information provided is not intended to be used as legal advice. If you have legal questions regarding sexual harassment, please contact an attorney.