Legislative leaders release report on sexual harassment
Legislative leaders release statements detailing steps to be taken in response to allegations of sexual harassment. Statements released by Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, former legislator Barbara Flynn Curry, and Sara Wojcicki Jimenez, the chair and the minority spokesperson of the 100th General Assembly’s Illinois House Task Force on Sexual Discrimination and Harassment
Legislative leaders release statements detailing steps to be taken in response to allegations of sexual harassment. Statements released by Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, former legislator Barbara Flynn Curry, and Sara Wojcicki Jimenez, the chair and the minority spokesperson of the 100th General Assembly’s Illinois House Task Force on Sexual Discrimination and Harassment
Statement from Speaker Madigan:
Speaker Michael J. Madigan released the following statement Wednesday regarding the report filed by the 100th General Assembly’s House Task Force on Sexual Discrimination and Harassment:
“I want to thank the lawmakers who brought their unique perspectives, talents and commitment to the House Task Force on Sexual Discrimination and Harassment. The better culture that is our goal is only possible when we first recognize the scope of the challenge we face and then commit to working cooperatively for change.
“Drawing on recommendations identified by Women Employed and the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission, the Task Force’s report highlights five core principles for preventing workplace harassment that should be a guide for all employers:
(1) committed and engaged leadership;
(2) consistent and demonstrated accountability;
(3) strong and comprehensive harassment policies;
(4) trusted and accessible complaint procedures; and
(5) regular, interactive training tailored to the audience and the organization.
“Working in close coordination with the House Democratic Women’s Caucus, I’ve taken pro-active steps to ensure my office is committed to these principles. Ending workplace harassment ultimately requires us to acknowledge that unacceptable behavior happens in every workplace and must be addressed in every workplace. As we continue our efforts as a Legislature, we offer the findings of the task force to all Illinois employers and ask them to join us in working to create a culture that refuses to accept harassment in any form.”
Statement from Illinois House of Representatives Anti-Harassment Task Force Leaders:
Former State Representatives Barbara Flynn Currie and Sara Wojcicki Jimenez, the chair and the minority spokesperson of the 100th General Assembly’s Illinois House Task Force on Sexual Discrimination and Harassment, released the following joint statement:
“Today, the Illinois House Task Force on Sexual Discrimination and Harassment filed a report summarizing our 13 hearings, the testimony of more than 50 advocates, experts, and survivors, and eight significant legislative measures already passed by the 100th General Assembly as steps toward changing the culture both in the Capitol and in workplaces across our state.
“The members of our task force know there is much more yet to be done. There are no simple ways of changing cultures and no quick solutions to address challenges that all workplaces face. Our task force chose the path of careful study and open dialogue because only through understanding and sustained cooperation can we achieve the goal of ending sexual harassment wherever it occurs. We offer a framework for an ongoing discussion in hopes that legislators will continue to build on the critical steps we have already taken and continue to strive to make all Illinois workplaces safer and more welcoming.”
The report of the task force can be read at http://ilga.gov/reports/specialreports.asp.
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Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
Email Ray Hanania at rghanania@gmail.com.
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