#MeToo Movement and its Impact on Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

In 2006, Tarana Burke began the Me Too movement to bring resources, support, and awareness to sexual violence. In 2016, the #MeToo hashtag went viral, and many began speaking up about their experience of sexual violence. This movement has had an especially large impact in the workplace. The awareness of sexual harassment began in Hollywood and spread to employment in restaurants and offices. The #MeToo movement calls for widespread change and accountability, especially in places of employment.

Employers are being scrutinized on how they handle complaints of sexual harassment and are expected not only to implement methods to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace, but to take proper steps to address the issue when complaints are made.

Following the #MeToo Movement, Illinois legislation has passed several measures to address sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace such as changes to employee contracts that protect employers from sexual harassment claims, strengthening employee's ability to report sexual harassments, training requirements, and the ability for contract employees to bring harassment claims.

In a statement, Governor JB Pritzker said, "Sexual harassment is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in the state of Illinois. Ending the culture of sexism and sexual harassment in workplaces across our state takes a comprehensive approach and...this bipartisan unanimously passed legislation- led by Senators Melinda Bush and Representative Ann Williams- strengths workplace protection to hold abusers and enablers accountable."