Preventing Sexual Harassment for Employees – Illinois Course Overview
Sexual harassment is a pervasive and persistent problem in our society and workplaces. In the wake of the #MeToo movement and the resulting nationwide conversation about sexual harassment, more people are coming forward and sharing their stories of being sexually harassed. In response, the State of Illinois passed the Workplace Transparency Act (WTA) in 2019, amending the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA) to require employers to step up and do more to prevent sexual harassment in Illinois workplaces.
The Workplace Transparency Act expands the definition of unlawful harassment to include discrimination against a person because of their actual or perceived protected class or status, and requires all Illinois employers—including out-of-state employers with employees who work in Illinois—to provide annual sexual harassment prevention training to all employees. This comprehensive course provides employees with awareness of Illinois laws and issues relating to sexual harassment in the workplace, detailing employee rights and responsibilities when it comes to recognizing and reporting sexual harassment when it happens to them or others.
What You’ll Learn
✓ Understand employee rights and responsibilities regarding sexual harassment under Illinois law
✓ Recognize sexually harassing behaviors in the workplace under Illinois definitions
✓ Apply prevention strategies to stop sexual harassment before it starts
✓ Contact appropriate federal and state agencies (EEOC and Illinois Department of Human Rights) to report harassment
✓ Report harassment internally using proper organizational procedures
✓ Distinguish between welcome and unwelcome workplace conduct
✓ Understand expanded protections under the Illinois Workplace Transparency Act
Preventing Sexual Harassment for Employees – Illinois Course Content
Lesson 1: Introduction and Objectives
Sexual harassment prevalence in society and workplaces, #MeToo movement impact and increased awareness, Illinois legislative response with Workplace Transparency Act (2019), amendments to Illinois Human Rights Act, annual training mandate for all Illinois employers, course objectives and learning outcomes, organizational commitment to harassment-free workplace, importance of employee awareness and action
Lesson 2: Defining Sexual Harassment
Legal definition of sexual harassment under federal and Illinois law, two forms of sexual harassment, Illinois Workplace Transparency Act expanded definition, unwelcome conduct requirement, examples of sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, single severe incident vs. pattern of conduct, reasonable person standard, impact on victim’s work performance and psychological well-being
Lesson 3: What the Laws Say
Federal law, Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA) protections, Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) enforcement authority, protected characteristics under Illinois law, Illinois Workplace Transparency Act key provisions, employer liability for sexual harassment, employee right to work in harassment-free environment, retaliation prohibition, constructive discharge when harassment makes continued employment intolerable, comparison of federal and Illinois protections
Lesson 4: Preventing Sexual Harassment
Individual responsibility for professional workplace conduct, maintaining appropriate boundaries and respectful behavior, avoiding sexually explicit language, jokes, or comments, respecting others’ personal space and comfort levels, being aware of power dynamics in workplace relationships, speaking up promptly when conduct makes you uncomfortable, bystander intervention, understanding impact of your behavior on others, “just joking” defense doesn’t excuse harassment, organizational prevention measures, creating culture of respect and inclusion, understanding that off-duty conduct can affect workplace environment
Lesson 5: Reporting Sexual Harassment
Importance of reporting harassment promptly to stop behavior and protect others, internal reporting procedures, multiple reporting channels especially when supervisor is harasser, what to include in harassment report, documenting incidents as they occur, preserving evidence, employer’s duty to investigate complaints under Illinois law, protection against retaliation for good faith reporting, investigation process and employee cooperation, interim protective measures during investigation, external reporting options: Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) complaint process and 180-day filing deadline for state claims, EEOC complaint process, right to file lawsuit under Title VII and Illinois Human Rights Act
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Who Should Take Preventing Sexual Harassment for Employees – Illinois
👥 All Illinois Employees
Every employee working in Illinois regardless of employer location
🏥 Healthcare Workers in Illinois
Clinical and administrative staff in hospitals, clinics, facilities
💼 Office and Administrative Staff
Employees in corporate, nonprofit, and service sectors in Illinois
🔧 Technical and Skilled Workers
Technicians, maintenance personnel, and specialized staff in Illinois
📋 New Hires
Orientation training for newly hired Illinois employees
🔄 Annual Refresher Training
All employees requiring yearly recertification under Illinois law
Certificate & Compliance
Upon successful completion, learners receive an official certificate of completion documenting their Illinois sexual harassment prevention training that satisfies the annual training requirement under the Illinois Workplace Transparency Act.
The course includes assessments that verify understanding of Illinois harassment laws, protected classes under IHRA, Workplace Transparency Act provisions, reporting procedures, and prevention strategies. Certificates are generated immediately with training date for regulatory compliance records.
Supports Compliance With:
- Illinois Workplace Transparency Act (2019)
- Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA)
- Illinois Department of Human Rights requirements
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
- EEOC enforcement guidelines
- Annual training mandate for all Illinois employers
Choose How Your Team Learns
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Why Choose Evolve?
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Expert-Developed Content
Courses feature realistic scenarios, engaging multimedia, and knowledge checks to reinforce learning. Content developed by compliance experts ensures accuracy and relevance.
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Accessible Anywhere
Complete training anytime, anywhere on PCs, tablets, or smartphones. Your team can learn at their own pace without disrupting daily operations or scheduling conflicts.
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Engaging & Effective
Scenario-based learning & interactive elements promote retention better than lecture-style courses
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Trackable and Reportable
Monitor completion rates, track progress, and generate compliance reports. Maintain detailed records for audits and regulatory requirements.
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Transparent Pricing
Simple per-seat pricing with no hidden fees, surprise charges, or mandatory bundles. Volume discounts make compliance training affordable for organizations of any size.
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Easy Implementation
Begin training your team immediately – no lengthy implementation or waiting periods
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Whether training 5 employees or 500, our platform scales to meet your organization’s needs. Custom course bundles available to address your specific training requirements and budget.
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Consistent Quality Training
Every learner receives the same high-quality, up-to-date content. Standardized training ensures your entire organization maintains consistent compliance knowledge.
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Ongoing Support
Dedicated customer support available to assist with questions, technical issues, or training customization needs.
MEET ILLINOIS’S ANNUAL SEXUAL HARASSMENT TRAINING REQUIREMENT
Give Your Illinois Employees Required Annual Training
The Illinois Workplace Transparency Act requires all employers with Illinois employees—including out-of-state employers—to provide annual sexual harassment prevention training. Ensure compliance with Illinois law while empowering employees to recognize, prevent, and report sexual harassment.
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