When it comes to sexual harassment, Illinois employers are deemed responsible for a supervisor\u2019s actions towards an employee.<\/p>\n
The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled that an employer is responsible for sexual harassment of an employee by a supervisor, even if that worker is not under his or her direct command. Or to put it another way, if a manager\/supervisor makes advances toward any worker, not just one who works directly for them, it is still considered to be sexual harassment. <\/p>\n
This is an important ruling and means that Illinois company owners must train their staff, including managers, on how to prevent sexual harassment in their workplace and how to avoid a hostile work environment as a result of the harassment. This ruling was handed down in Sangamon County Sheriff\u2019s Department v. Illinois Human Rights Commission; a ruling that stated the employer is strictly liable for any manager\u2019s or supervisor\u2019s actions.<\/p>\n