Reporting sexual assault in the workplace takes a great deal of courage. You did the right thing and sought to bring justice for your own well-being and the protection of others. If you are now facing unlawful retaliation in response to your sexual assault report, Illinois law protects you and offers legal remedies.
What Does Workplace Retaliation Look Like?
Workplace retaliation can refer to any adverse employment action or an uncomfortable (or unsafe) work environment after reporting sexual discrimination, harassment or assault at work. If things change for you for the worse after reporting sexual assault by a boss, coworker or someone else in the workplace, you may be a victim of illegal retaliation.
Examples of retaliation in response to reporting workplace sexual assault include:
- Abrupt (wrongful) termination or “layoff”
- A sudden demotion or pay cut
- Losing work hours without a valid reason
- Getting switched to a worse schedule
- Being isolated from your peers or coworkers
- Getting excluded from meetings or group decisions
- Receiving sudden negative performance reviews
- New or intrusive micromanagement
- Being verbally harassed or discriminated against
- Being threatened, intimidated or pressured into quitting
Most managers and places of work attempt to disguise retaliation as just “part of the job” or changes that are affecting everyone and not just you. However, if negative treatment and adverse employment actions occurred after you reported sexual harassment or assault, it may be an illegal form of retaliation.
What to Do if You Are Facing Retaliation for Reporting Sexual Assault
If you suspect that you are a victim of retaliation as someone who previously came forward, complained about, spoke up against or reported sexual assault in your workplace, it is important to take immediate action. Here’s what to do:
- Document your experience. Keep clear records of your original assault or harassment complaint, your workplace experience after reporting the assault, and a timeline of events.
- Gather evidence of retaliation, such as communications from your boss, your work schedule and pay stubs.
- Follow the correct procedures to report the retaliation to Human Resources. Write down who you spoke to and what the company’s response or remedy was.
- File an official complaint. Bring your case to the Illinois Department of Human Rights. They can investigate workplace retaliation as well as sexual assault claims. You can also get help from the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
- Seek advice from an attorney. Retaliation claims in Illinois after a case of sexual assault can be complex and emotionally taxing. Hire a retaliation attorney to help you protect your legal rights without undue stress.
Illinois law offers strong protections against workplace retaliation. If you are facing this issue in your workplace after reporting sexual assault, you may be entitled to financial compensation from the employer or company.
Protecting Your Rights in the Face of Retaliation in Illinois
Filing a retaliation claim with help from an employee rights lawyer could lead to fair and full compensation for your related wage and income losses, lost job or demotion, attorney’s fees, and emotional distress damages. It can also bring you justice and potentially protect others in your workplace from similar issues by holding an employer in Illinois accountable for illegal retaliation.
To discuss a particular workplace sexual assault or retaliation case in Illinois, contact The Mahoney Law Firm for a free and confidential consultation.