Every restaurant and bar operating in Illinois must have a sexual harassment policy provided to all employees, in writing, within the first calendar week of the employee's employment. The policy shall include:
- A prohibition on sexual harassment;
- The definition of sexual harassment under the Illinois Human Rights Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964;
- Details on how an individual can report an allegation of sexual harassment internally, including options for making a confidential report to a manager, owner, corporate headquarters, human resources department, or other internal reporting mechanism that may be available;
- An explanation of the internal complaint process available to employees;
- How to contact and file a charge with the Illinois Department of Human Rights and United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission;
- A prohibition on retaliation for reporting sexual harassment allegations; and
- A requirement that all employees participate in sexual harassment prevention training.
The policy shall be made available in English and Spanish.
In addition to the model sexual harassment prevention training program produced, the Department shall develop a supplemental model training program in consultation with industry professionals specifically aimed at the prevention of sexual harassment in the restaurant and bar industry. The supplemental model program shall be made available to all restaurants and bars and the public online at no cost. The training shall include:
- Specific conduct, activities, or videos related to the restaurant or bar industry;
- An explanation of manager liability and responsibility under the law; and
- English and Spanish language options.