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The Victims' Economic Security and Safety Act, known as VESSA,
allows employees who are victims of domestic or sexual violence or
who have a family or household member who is a victim of domestic or
sexual violence with up to 12 workweeks of unpaid leave in any
12-month period to seek medical attention, legal advice and
counseling. For many victims of domestic violence and sexual
assault, abuse experienced at home follows them to the workplace,
when he or she is harassed by threatening phone calls and e-mails.
Eventually the employee becomes less productive due to abuse-related
stress or is absent because of physical injuries. VESSA aims to
provide employees with the financial independence necessary to leave
abusive situations, without fear of losing their jobs.
Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich signed VESSA into law on Aug. 25, 2003,
effective immediately, making Illinois one of only a handful of
states with workplace protections specifically for victims of
domestic or sexual violence.
"Domestic and sexual violence have severe economic consequences
on both employees and employers," said Department of Labor Director
Art Ludwig. "The Illinois Department of Labor continues to conduct
VESSA awareness to ensure that communities are aware of this law and
its requirements. We are the only agency in the state that is
responsible for enforcing this important law, and we take this
responsibility very seriously."
VESSA requires employers to help a worker who has been a victim
of domestic or sexual violence with accommodations that may include
a modified work schedule or a transfer to a different location or
department. The Department of Labor conducts training seminars on
domestic violence awareness to educate workers, employers and the
general public on how to prevent discrimination in the workplace.
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 In 2004, the governor launched a statewide awareness campaign
through the Department of Labor to educate the public about
protecting victims of domestic violence from discrimination in the
workplace by working with domestic and sexual assault service
providers, health care providers, human resource professionals,
community organizations, and businesses. The department created
multilingual VESSA public service announcements in Spanish, Polish,
Ukrainian, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Hindi and Urdu and
developed VESSA informational brochures. The department also
conducted employee-employer VESSA training seminars throughout the
state, providing details on the law's requirements and protections
and how to file a complaint with the department.
On Sept. 21, the governor announced more than $20 million in
grants to support prevention efforts and services for victims of
domestic and sexual crimes throughout Illinois and highlighted $2
million in funding for the Chicago Foundation for Women, which will
help launch a comprehensive Anti-Violence Initiative to fight
against human trafficking, domestic violence, sexual assault, the
sex trade, street harassment and other forms of gender-based
violence.
Employers with 50 or more employees are subject to VESSA,
including the state of Illinois and any unit of local government or
school district, and are prohibited from discharging, harassing or
otherwise discriminating against any employee with respect to
compensation, terms, conditions or privileges of employment.
Any employee who believes his or her rights have been violated
may file a complaint with the Department of Labor within three years
after the alleged violation occurs by calling 312-793-6797 or by
visiting
http://www.state.il.us/agency/idol. If you are a victim of
domestic or sexual violence, call the Domestic Violence Hotline,
1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
[Illinois
Department of Labor news release]
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