" VESSA is a significant labor law that allows victims of domestic or
sexual violence to address abuse that may have followed them into
the workplace, without fear of employment discrimination or job
loss. Domestic Violence Awareness Month gives IDOL the unique
opportunity to highlight VESSA's protections and remind the public
of its requirements," said Catherine Shannon, director of the
Illinois Department of Labor.For many victims of domestic and
sexual violence, abuse experienced at home often follows them to the
workplace when they are harassed by threatening phone calls or
e-mails. The employee may become less productive due to
abuse-related stress or may be unable to work due to physical
injuries. VESSA allows an employee who is a victim of domestic or
sexual violence to take unpaid leave to obtain medical attention or
counseling for physical or psychological injuries; participate in
safety planning, including relocation; and seek legal assistance to
ensure health and safety. VESSA aims to provide employees with the
financial independence necessary to leave abusive situations without
fear of losing their jobs.
Blagojevich signed VESSA into law on Aug. 25, 2003, making
Illinois one of few states to have statutes or ordinances providing
nondiscrimination or leave provisions specifically for victims of
domestic or sexual violence. To increase awareness of the law among
diverse communities throughout Illinois, the Department of Labor
will distribute multilingual radio public service announcements in
Spanish, Polish, Ukrainian, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese) and
Hindi/Urdu.
Employers with 50 or more employees are subject to VESSA,
including the state of Illinois and any unit of local government or
school district. If an employer is found to have violated VESSA, the
Illinois Department of Labor may require the employer to pay damages
equal to the amount of wages, employment benefits or other
compensation denied or lost, with interest; or provide equitable
relief, such as reinstatement, promotion, reasonable accommodations
and attorney's fees. Additionally, if the employer fails to pay
damages within 30 days after an order is entered, the employer is
liable to pay the employee a penalty of 1 percent each calendar day
for delay in payment.
Employers are prohibited from discharging, harassing or otherwise
discriminating against any individual with respect to compensation,
terms, conditions or privileges of employment because the individual
is, or is perceived to be, a victim of domestic or sexual violence,
or exercises his or her rights under the act.
Any employee who believes his or her rights have been violated
may file a complaint within three years after the alleged violation
has occurred by calling 312-793-6797 or by visiting
www.state.il.us/agency/idol.
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The governor's proclamation reads:
WHEREAS, domestic violence is a prevalent social problem in
Illinois that not only negatively affects the victim, but also
affects the victim's family, friends and community at large; and
WHEREAS, domestic violence knows no boundaries. It exists in all
neighborhoods and cities, and it has no racial, economic, or social
barriers; and
WHEREAS, in Illinois alone, there are approximately 115,000 to
125,000 domestic crimes each year; and
WHEREAS, the health-related costs of rape, physical assault,
stalking, and homicide by intimate partners exceed $5.8 billion
every year, and the annual cost of lost productivity in the
workplace due to domestic violence is estimated to be hundreds of
millions of dollars, with nearly 8 million paid workdays lost per
year; and
WHEREAS, on August 25, 2003 I signed the Victims' Economic
Security and Safety Act -- VESSA -- into law. This law, which is
enforced by the Illinois Department of Labor, makes Illinois one of
only a handful of states with workplace protections specifically for
victims of domestic or sexual violence. The law 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, up
to 12 workweeks of unpaid leave in any 12-month period to seek
medical attention, legal advice and counseling; and
WHEREAS, the Illinois Department of Human Services is dedicated
to ensuring that Illinois residents live free from domestic
violence, promoting prevention, and working in partnership with
communities to advance equality, dignity, and respect for all; and
WHEREAS, the Illinois Department of Human Services also funds 64
multi-service domestic violence programs throughout the state,
offering counseling and advocacy, legal assistance, children's
services, and shelter and support services at no cost to the victim;
and
WHEREAS, last year the Illinois Department of Human Services
expanded the City of Chicago's Domestic Violence Helpline, 1-877-TO
END DV, to provide a toll-free, 24-hour, 7-days-a-week,
multilingual, confidential service to all Illinois residents:
THEREFORE, I, Rod R. Blagojevich, Governor of the State of
Illinois, do hereby proclaim October 2008 as DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
AWARENESS MONTH in Illinois to raise awareness about the problem of
domestic violence, and urge all victims to seek help by either
calling a local helpline or visiting a local help center.
[Text from
Illinois
Department of Labor file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information] |
