Legal Question in Sexual Harassment in Illinois
Sexual Harassment on my EE by another firm
I am a consulting firm who regularly sends my associates to month-long assignments at other firms besides our own. I am concerned about a female worker who complained that someone at the firm she was consulting at constantly harassed her. This consisted of sexual talk, comments about her body, etc. I decided to move the EE before her assignment was finished, due to her complaint. Did I have to do that? Do I have to protect my EE's from sexual harassment by others?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Prudent actions
My personal reading of the law is that you do indeed have a duty to act in the way that you did. However, the law is far from clear when applied to each individial situation. If I were in your shoes I would do what you did. Generally, I like to think of actions such as yours as insurance -- better safe than sorry.
Re: Sexual Harassment on my EE by another firm
Yes - employers have an obligation to protect their employees from third party sexual harassment. Best regards.