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Legal Information: Illinois

Workplace Protections

Updated: 
January 23, 2024

Is it legal for my employer to harass me or tell my co-workers if I take time off to deal with domestic, sexual, or gender violence, or a "crime of violence"?

Your employer cannot fire you, harass you, or punish you in any way just because you ask for and/or take this time off to deal with issues related to domestic, sexual, or gender violence, or a “crime of violence” or because you are a victim.1

Also, the law requires your employer to keep your situation confidential. For example, your employer cannot tell your co-workers, your clients, or other employers that you took time off to deal with violence. Your employer also cannot talk about or write about the reason for your time off. They must also keep private any documents that you give them that relate to your situation.2

1 820 ILCS § 180/30
2 820 ILCS § 180/20(d)