Sexual harassment in the workplace has become a hot button issue in recent years. After celebrities such as Harvey Weinstein and Matt Lauer were publicly scrutinized for accusations of workplace sexual harassment, more and more people started taking notice of the issue.

As an employee, it is crucial that you understand your rights under Illinois and federal law. Many workers unknowingly allow discriminatory and offensive behavior to go unchecked because they are not aware of the rights and the legal safeguards designed to protect them. This allows perpetrators to continue their unlawful behavior and avoid being held accountable for their misconduct. Unfortunately, discriminatory practices tend to proliferate if nothing is done to stop it, which is why it is so important for employees to speak up.   

Employees Have a Right to Be Free from Discrimination and Harassment

As an employee, you have the right to be free from discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or national origin. Under the Illinois Human Rights Act, employers are required to provide a workplace free from any form of unlawful discrimination. This includes sexual harassment. 

If you are a divorced parent or soon will be, you may already be planning for the upcoming summer break. For many families, the end of the school year marks the beginning of a time when many co-parents must establish a new schedule for their children. The best way to ensure that everyone has an enjoyable and successful summer is to work together as co-parents and ensure that you and the other parent are on the same page regarding parenting time and responsibilities.

Set up a Parenting Plan or Temporary Allocation Order

The parenting plan or parenting agreement is crucial for divorced parents in Illinois. This is the document that contains everything from when each parent will have the children to how major decisions regarding childcare and education will be made. It is important that both parents agree to the terms of the plan, as it will serve as a road map for all parenting situations during summer break and beyond. If you are in the middle of getting divorced and do not yet have your final parenting plan, you can ask the court to enter a temporary order.

Divorcing parents who are on good terms may be able to negotiate temporary custody plans without the need for a formal court order, but it is still recommended that you put this agreement in writing.

Property division, parenting plans, child support - with so many things to contend with during a divorce case, tax considerations often get put on the back burner. If you are planning to divorce, it is very important that you understand how the divorce will influence your tax obligations and prepare appropriately. Educating yourself about tax-related matters now can help you avoid unpleasant surprises and unexpected fees later on.

Tax Filing Status

Once the divorce is finalized, you and your spouse will file taxes separately. During the divorce process, however, you may still be allowed to file jointly. If your divorce was not finalized in the previous year, you can file jointly. Filing jointly may allow for a higher deduction and therefore, a larger refund. If your divorce decree was issued on or before December 31, you cannot file jointly for that year.

Tax Considerations for Retirement Accounts

There are tax penalties and fees associated with early withdrawal from retirement accounts. If your or your spouse has a retirement account and contributed funds to it during the marriage, part or all of the retirement funds are likely marital property. To avoid penalties and tax implications when dividing retirement accounts make sure you use the appropriate legal process and orders for dividing shared retirement funds. Typically, this involves a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO).

When a marriage nears its end, the situation can become contentious rather quickly. Both spouses may deal with feelings of resentment, guilt, anger, and fear. Another common element in many divorces is the financial strain that comes with it. If one spouse cannot afford to move out, then the spouses may be stuck living together until a solution can be reached.

Many spouses question whether they can even get a divorce if they are still living together. They wonder if there is a mandatory separation period in Illinois before divorce is permitted and how long it must last. 

If you find yourself in this situation, read on to learn about the divorce requirements in Illinois and what to do if you want to file for divorce but cannot move out immediately.

Even though the Illinois legal system has developed a sophisticated process for handling complaints of sexual harassment, many people still endure this unacceptable behavior at work and are unsure how to handle it. Worries about embarrassment in front of colleagues, a desire to avoid confrontation, and/or a fear of retaliation often keep people from speaking up about sexual harassment when it happens. Sometimes, it can be difficult to recognize that inappropriate behavior is sexual harassment until after the fact. 

However, it is essential to speak up and take action when you feel that are being sexually harassed. There are many reasons for this, not least of which is that what offends one person may not necessarily offend another, and the person bothering you may not realize they are doing so. At the same time, it is important not to let someone continue bothering you simply because they state they do not intend to sexually harass you. 

What is Sexual Harassment? 

While sexual harassment can manifest in many different ways, it is important to know that all sexual harassment is gender-based employment discrimination, and it is against the law. The law puts sexual harassment into two basic categories: Quid pro quo (the exchange of sexual favors for employment benefits) and hostile work environment (when sexual harassment is so extreme that it is abusive or interferes with someone being able to do their job).