Chicago park lifeguard supervisor assault on teen employee calls for workplace changes.
Illinois – May 5, 2022
A Chicago Park District lifeguard supervisor charged with sexual assault of workers lead to the scandalous resignation of the District Supervisor last year and litigation for sexual assault charges. The former lifeguard supervisor’s bail was set at $275,000 during a recent hearing where he faced charges of criminal sexual assault by force, sexual assault by a person in a position of authority and sexual abuse related to an alleged 2018 incident at the Jefferson Memorial Pool, 4822 N. Long Ave., in Jefferson Park. As a supervisor in the summer seasonal lifeguard program, he pushed a 17-year-old lifeguard into a locker room at the pool, pinned her against a bank of lockers and sexually assaulted her according to the Assistant State’s Attorney. Sexual assault victims may ask themselves “Where can I find an attorney near me?” when they need assistance after a workplace incident involving sexual misconduct and assault.
Workplace policy.
Workplace policy should be set and available for employees who need a safe path to report job related sexual misconduct and assault. An estimated three out of four employees who have experienced some form of sexual harassment at work do not even report it to their supervisor, or human resources department. Victims should talk to sexual harassment attorneys in Illinois about concerns of criminal conduct by a manager who may be controlling their scope of work activities for a “minor” employee. When investigating allegations of sexual harassment and workplace assault, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) looks at the circumstances, such as the nature of the sexual advances, and the context in which the alleged incidents occurred, sometimes requiring criminal charges to be filed.
Employer awareness.
Employers are encouraged to take steps necessary to prevent sexual harassment from occurring. They should clearly communicate to employees that sexual harassment will not be tolerated. They can do so by providing sexual harassment training to their employees and by establishing an effective complaint, or grievance process and taking immediate and appropriate action when an employee complains. Sexual harassment lawyers can assist human resource departments as they develop and maintain standard operating work policies to support methods that deter sexual harassment in the workplace.
District leadership.
Leadership and workplace culture may have positive impact on the reduction of sexual harassment in the workplace through harassment prevention efforts that include standard operating policies with outlined requirements of reporting, maintaining confidentiality and professionalism. Supervisors and other responsible department personnel who observe, are informed of, or reasonably suspect sexual harassment claims might be filed, should immediately report such incidents and initiate prompt investigation. Supervisors should take effective measures to ensure no further apparent, or alleged harassment of the victim occurs, pending completion of an EEOC investigation, or other legal action. Employers should attempt to maintain privacy of the alleged victim and harasser while a complaint is being investigated. Necessary steps should also be taken to ensure that a young employee victim is protected from retaliation for reporting sexual harassment in compliance with federal laws. A Chicago sexual harassment attorney can address the significant harms caused to minors through illegal sexual molestation and initiate the appropriate actions toward damage compensation, criminal action, and positive workplace change.
Hire a lawyer.
Experienced sexual assault lawyers who are familiar with the importance of the sequence of events after a person is harmed through workplace sexual misconduct may initiate a legal action against those responsible for the personal harm to an employee. Call the Dinizulu Law Group for a consultation, and to explore legal options.
Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd.
Address: 221 North LaSalle Suite 1100 Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: (312) 384-1920
Toll Free: 1-800-693-1LAW(1529)
Email: [email protected]
Sources.
- 2nd lifeguard supervisor charged with sexually assaulting teen employee – Chicago Sun-Times (suntimes.com)
- https://www.eeoc.gov/retaliation
- https://www.justice.gov/crt/fcs/TitleVI-Overview
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