Carroll Fights to End Workplace Harassment

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Working to eliminate workplace harassment and creating better working conditions, state Rep. Jonathan Carroll, D-Northbrook, is sponsoring legislation that establishes a task force to help find best practices and policies for both public and private sector workplaces.

“Men and women go to work to earn their living and pursue their dreams, and they should do so free from the fear of harassment or retaliation at work,” said Carroll. “Sexual harassment has gone unchecked far too long, and we all need to work harder to combat this behavior and create an open, productive and respectful work environment.”

Carroll’s House Bill 905 calls for the creation of the Private Sector Workplace Anti-Harassment Task Force to develop and outline best practices for businesses and their employees to prevent harassment. According to 2017 polling by CNBC, 1 in 5 Americans has experienced sexual harassment at work, 27% of women and 10% of men experiencing harassment.

Carroll supported similar legislation that created a task force outlining the social and legal consequence of sexual harassment. Carroll has also backed legislation focusing on sexual violence in higher education.

“People should not be using their positions at work, in both the public and private sectors, to make someone else feel uncomfortable or being made the target of harassment,” said Carroll. “This problem needs to be confronted head-on, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to help protect people from harassment from their peers.”

If you or anyone you know is the survivor of sexual harassment or assault, the incident can be reported to the Illinois Department of Human Rights Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Helpline at 1-877-236-7703 in either Spanish or English.

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