Business & Work

Many types of conduct may qualify as illegal workplace discrimination, including:

• Unfavorable treatment or harassment because you are a member of a protected class. The Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA) prohibits discrimination based on actual or perceived membership in a protected class.
• Being denied employment opportunities or benefits, or unfavorable treatment or harassment, based on the employer's need to make a reasonable accommodation because of your religion (including what you wear) or disability (including temporary accommodations for pregnancy). An employer can only refuse a request for a reasonable accommodation if it would be an "undue hardship" on the ordinary operation of the employer's business.  
• Punishment or retaliation for complaining about job discrimination, participating in another employee's complaint process, or requesting or using a reasonable accommodation.

If one of these things happens to you, you can report the misconduct to your employer. You do not have to report to your employer if you don't feel comfortable. Your employer is not allowed to retaliate or punish you for reporting discrimination. 

You can also probably file a complaint against your employer. But there are many rules about the process that you must follow carefully. Reporting to your employer does not prevent you from filing a discrimination claim or charge.

First, you must decide where to file your complaint. In Illinois, you can file with the:

• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC),
• Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR),
• Cook County Commission on Human Rights (CCCHR), or
• Chicago Commission on Human Relations (CCHR).

You will have a limited time to file a claim. The amount of time depends on where you file. This can be as short as 180 days.  

How long you worked for the employer doesn’t matter. 

You can file a discrimination claim or charge on your own or with the help of a lawyer.