Real Story of Sexual Harassment

Linda was hired by the Illinois Department of Corrections ("Department") in August 1978. After a few years between other sub-divisions, she became a public information officer in 1981. Linda filed a claim against her supervisor, Nicholas, for sexual harassment in May of 1984. Over the course of three years, Linda suffered verbal abuse by her supervisor. She testified that her supervisor referred to women in a derogatory and sexual manner, depending on whether he thought they were attractive. Linda also testified that her supervisor would bring inappropriate merchandise catalogues into work, asked workers to make long distance phone calls to pornographic services, and even asked Linda whether she was raising her daughter to be a "porno star."

Linda filed a sexual harassment claim against the department. Beginning in May 1984, Linda also brought a tape recorder to work and placed it on her desk. After being accused of illegally taping conversations, she was placed on suspension and ultimately discharged in August of 1984. At the hearing before the Human Rights Commission (HRC), Linda, in addition to testifying on her own behalf, presented the testimony of other employees who either worked with or under her supervisor. Linda won her case before the HRC after proving the comments constituted a "hostile work environment." She also won on a retaliation claim and was awarded $81,465.27 for back pay and $23,131.50 for lost benefits.

State of Illinois v. Human Rights Commission, 534 N.E.2d 161 (Ill. App. 4d 1989).