Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is urging lawmakers to pass the “Work Without Fear Act.”
The bill aims to protect workers who come forward about problems on the job. Attorney General Raoul says fear of retaliation is the number one reason employees don’t report abuse or poor working conditions. He notes this is especially true of immigrant workers.
“For immigrants threats of deportation or repealing immigration status can influence the worker’s willingness to voice concern about their workplace, which hurts all workers.”
The legislation prohibits employers from retaliating against or intimidating whistleblowers. It specifically mentions bosses who make threats related to immigration status. The bill has passed a House committee and now awaits a vote on the house floor.
