Illinois Poster Update – Discrimination & Sexual Harassment

What’s new?

• The Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) has produced a new notice titled “You Have the Right To Be Free From Job Discrimination and Sexual Harassment.” 
• This notice replaces the previous IDHR notice titled “Employment Rights.” Simply place the new Peel ‘N Post over the old notice on the poster or Mobile Poster Pak.

What’s changed?

Employers are required to post a notice produced by IDHR which provides information about the Illinois Human Rights Act. A new law, HB 138, requires the notice provided by IDHR to inform employees of their right to be free from sexual harassment. 

 The Job Discrimination and Sexual Harassment notice describes employee rights under the law, including:

• The right to be free from job discrimination on the basis of their status as a member of a protected class
• The right to be free from sexual harassment
• The right to receive reasonable accommodations for disability or pregnancy
• The right to be free from retaliation for reporting discrimination 

HB 138 went into effect on June 8, 2018, but IDHR did not provide the new notice until September of 2018. The revision date on the notice is 9/18.

 Who is required to post?

The Illinois Job Discrimination and Sexual Harassment notice must be posted by every employer with 1 or more employees in Illinois. It is a civil rights violation for an employer to fail to post and keep posted this notice in a conspicuous location on the premises of the employer where notices to employees are customarily posted. (775 ILCS 5/2-102(K))

 What else do I need to know?

Any employee handbook provided by an employer is required by law to include information about an employee’s rights under the Illinois Human Rights Act. Covered employers who provide a handbook to employees should review these materials to ensure they include information regarding an employee’s right to be free from sexual harassment.