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Sexual harassment

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Quick Hit
by Aricka Flowers
12:55pm
Wed Jan 13, 2016
4 comments

UNITE HERE Ad Campaign Targets Moylan On Issue Of Workplace Sexual Harassment (VIDEO)

UNITE HERE Local 1 targeted state Rep. Mary Moylan (D-Des Plaines) with a new ad Wednesday, alleging that the lawmaker made light of a casino worker's claim of sexual harassment at the workplace.

The Rivers Casino buffet server alleges that when she was sexually harassed by a patron at her workplace, higher ups at the facility "took no action" on the complaint, according to the ad, prompting her to contact Moylan's office for further assistance. The union alleges that Moylan "laughed after [the] 21 year-old waitress came forward to share her story of sexual harassment." Moylan's district includes the suburb of Des Plaines, where Rivers Casino is located. 

"Representative Moylan's behavior demonstrates a need for a very public challenge," says UNITE HERE Local 1 President Karen Kent. "We need to show our daughters, nieces, friends and colleagues that we are behind them, that we believe in them, that we've been there, and we're going to end it. I invite leaders, entrepreneurs, activists, public officials to step up and support the young women, the women with the fewest resources, who are making their way in the world."

Meanwhile, Moylan is balking at the union's claims.

Quick Hit
by Ellyn Fortino
5:22pm
Thu Oct 16, 2014

Report: Sexual Harassment Widespread In The Restaurant Industry

Many restaurant employees face frequent sexual harassment on the job from managers, co-workers and customers. 

That's according to a recent survey and report by Restaurant Opportunities Centers United (ROC United) and Forward Together, which found that 66 percent of female and more than half of male restaurant employees experienced sexual harassment at some point from a work superior.

The survey of 688 current and former restaurant workers in 39 states also showed that 80 percent of women and 70 percent of men faced sexual harassment at the hands of co-workers. Sexual teasing, inappropriate touching and sexually suggestive gestures are some of the harassment examples cited by workers, who were surveyed May through August of this year.

Among other troubling findings, nearly 80 percent of women and 55 percent of men reported being harassed by restaurant customers while at work.

"Our report finds that sexual harassment is absolutely systemic across the restaurant industry and is experienced by a majority of workers, but the heaviest impact is borne by women, trans people, tipped workers and workers in states that allow employers to pay tipped workers as little as $2.13 an hour," said Eveline Shen, executive director of Forward Together, a social advocacy organization.
 
Quick Hit
by Ellyn Fortino
6:34pm
Mon Sep 29, 2014

New Report Calls Attention To Educational Barriers Impacting African-American Girls

A new national report is sounding the alarm on school-achievement obstacles that harm African-American girls.

Young African-American females are "faring worse than the national average for girls on almost every measure of academic achievement" due to "pervasive, systemic barriers in education rooted in racial and gender bias and stereotypes," according to the report by the National Women's Law Center (NWLC) and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.

"The futures of African-American girls are on the line," stressed NWLC's Co-President Marcia Greenberger. "It’s shameful that too many girls are falling between the cracks of an educational system that ignores their real needs. A strong education is essential for people in our country to compete in our economy and earn wages that can support themselves and their families. It's critical to turn this crisis around and put these girls on a path to success."

PI Original
by Ellyn Fortino
2:57pm
Thu Jun 12, 2014

Report: Discrimination Still A Major Employment Barrier For Female Construction Workers

Labor

Discrimination against female workers still runs rampant in the construction industry, according to a new report from the National Women's Law Center. Progress Illinois takes a look at the report's findings.

PI Original
by Ellyn Fortino
7:13pm
Tue Apr 1, 2014

Race For Illinois Treasurer Heats Up

Election 2014

The General Election is not for another seven months, but the nominees for Illinois treasurer are wasting no time in taking jabs at each other. Progress Illinois takes a look at the race for treasurer that pits State Sen. Mike Frerichs (D-Champaign) against State Rep. Tom Cross (R-Oswego). 

PI Original
by Ellyn Fortino
11:35am
Wed Mar 5, 2014

Illinois GOP Gubernatorial Candidates Debate Social Issues

Election 2014

The four Illinois GOP gubernatorial hopefuls faced questions about a number of social issues at a Tuesday night debate, ranging from the death penalty and women’s reproductive rights to helping ex-offenders reintegrate into society. Progress Illinois provides some highlights from the forum.

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