2024

Agenda del Poder Económico de las Mujeres para Illinois

Este informe es un conjunto de recomendaciones intersectoriales y de múltiples temas para desarrollar el poder económico de las mujeres en Illinois. Es el resultado de una conferencia de alto nivel de dos días a finales de 2023, que centró las voces de las trabajadoras que a menudo no están incluidas en las mesas de políticas y defensa, reuniéndolas con defensores, organizaciones políticas, centros de trabajadores, grupos laborales, propietarios de pequeñas empresas, y más.

2024

Know Your Rights to Paid Time Off in Chicago / Conozca Sus Derechos a Tiempo Libre Remunerado en Chicago

If you work in Chicago, you have expanded rights to paid leave and paid sick time as of July 1, 2024. Make sure you know your rights. Visit https://paidleavechicago.org to learn more.

2024

Know Your Rights to Paid Time Off in Illinois / Conozca Sus Derechos a Tiempo Libre Remunerado en Illinois

No matter where you work in Illinois, you have a right to some form of paid leave as of January 1, 2024. Make sure you know your rights. Visit https://paidleaveil.org to learn more.

2024

Women’s Economic Power Agenda for Illinois

This report is a cross-sector, multi-issue set of recommendations for building the economic power of women in Illinois. It is the outcome of a two-day summit in late 2023, which centered the voices of workers who are often not included at policy and advocacy tables, bringing them together with advocates, policy organizations, worker centers, labor groups, small business owners, and more.

2023

Building a Know Your Rights Campaign: Lessons Learned from the Illinois FARE Grant Equal Pay Project

Equal pay for equal work is the law, and in Illinois, there are additional laws protecting workers. However, many low-paid women, and particularly Black and Latina/x women, are not given access to that information. Women Employed recently partnered with the Illinois Department of Labor on a project to ensure women in Illinois learn about their equal pay rights. The project was funded by the the USDOL Women’s Bureau’s FARE Grant. In this report, we explain the process of building our campaign, including key takeaways, to provide guidance for employers, employees, and organizations wishing to do their own know-your-rights campaigns.

2022

Building Workplaces Where Women Can Thrive: Centering Equity at the Intersection of Gender and Race

The best jobs engage their employees in meaningful work they can be proud of, recognize workers and their achievements, and encourage a sense of belonging to the workplace and workforce. These supports should address both basic needs like livable wages and safe working conditions, as well as higher-level concerns like equitable and inclusive work environments. In this white paper, we outline what it means to build an equitable workplace, and why both basic and higher-level supports are necessary to ensure women can be effective, productive, and successful at work.

2022

Intersecting Barriers: Challenges to Economic Empowerment for Domestic Violence Survivors

This research report, produced with support from the Michael Reese Health Trust, introduces the results of new research investigating the needs and gaps faced by survivors of domestic violence in the Chicago metropolitan area, and leverage the insights of workforce development professionals, domestic violence advocates, and survivors themselves in recommending policy and practice solutions.

2022

You Deserve Fair Pay. Know Your Rights.

Everybody deserves to be paid fairly. But women in the U.S. who work full-time, year-round are typically paid only 82 cents for every dollar paid to men. And the barriers are even greater for Black and Latina/x women who have even wider wage gaps due to both gender and racial bias, and for women in low-paid jobs who are struggling to get by. We want to make sure YOU know your rights to fair pay. View our toolkit with resources.

2021

Domestic Workers’ Rights in Chicago

Domestic Workers in Chicago have a right to earn minimum wage, paid sick days, overtime pay, one day off per week, to be free from sexual harassment and starting January 1, 2022, all nannies, care workers, home cleaners and other domestic workers in Chicago have the right to a written contract. Learn more about these rights.

2020

2020 Annual Report

The working people now considered essential have been at the heart of Women Employed’s mission since 1973. And our work this year to advance equity for all has also been essential. By improving job quality for all workers and leading the charge for paid leave in Illinois, working to advance access and racial equity in higher education, and strengthening our career pathways programs so people can secure jobs that provide family-sustaining wages, we made major advances in our work to pursue equity for all. Read more in or 2020 annual report, and scroll down to watch people tell their own stories about the impact of our essential work!

2020

Employment Rights Under Illinois Law

An overview of Illinois laws.

2020

Illinois Paid Sick Days Activism Toolkit

No one should have to choose between their health—or even their life—and their  livelihood. Yet 1.5 million Illinoisans lack the right to a single paid sick day. Take a few minutes each month to keep the pressure on our Illinois legislators to pass
statewide paid sick days as soon as they reconvene in Springfield.

2020

Women Employed’s 2020 Priorities

Making college affordable, accessible, and equitable. Strengthening career pathways to family-sustaining wages. Improving job quality for all working people. Advancing gender equity at work. Read about Women Employed’s 2020 priorities.

2019

2019 Annual Report

Victory. At Women Employed, when we celebrate a victory, it means more women are safe and respected at work. More people have access to the training and education they need to take the next step to something better. It’s peace of mind. Dignity. This year, we have some huge victories to celebrate, and that’s good news for us all. Read about those victories in our 2019 Annual Report.

2019

Derechos Laborales de Trabajadoras Embarazadas

Pregnancy and Employment Under Illinois Law (Spanish Version). Provides an overview, in Spanish, of the Illinois law that protects your rights on the job when you are pregnant, including rights to reasonable accommodations, plus information on where you can go for help.

2019

Employment Rights Under Federal Law

An overview of federal laws protecting your rights when you’re on the job, interviewing, or leaving a job, plus information on where you can go for help.

2019

Facts About the Family and Medical Leave Act

An overview of the provisions of this federal law permitting unpaid leave from work to care for family members and information to help you determine if you are eligible.

2019

Filing an Employment Discrimination Charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

A step-by-step guide on what to expect when filing.

2019

Filing an Employment Discrimination Charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in Chicago

A step-by-step guide on what to expect when filing at the Chicago District Office.

2019

Help Combat Sexual Harassment

Explains what sexual harassment is, how it is defined by law, and what you can do if you or someone else is sexually harassed.

2019

No Salary History and Pay Equity Toolkit

On September 29th, 2019, Illinois’ new No Salary History Law takes effect, barring employers from seeking information about the past wages of job applicants during the hiring process. It’s a major advance for gender pay equity—the practice of factoring past wages into salary offers is a major contributing factor to persistent wage gaps. In advance of the law’s effective date, Women Employed has created a set of tools to help employers and job seekers navigate this change.

2019

Pregnancy and Employment Under Illinois Law

Provides an overview of the Illinois law that protects your rights on the job when you are pregnant, including rights to reasonable accommodations, plus information on where you can go for help.

2019

Sexual Harassment

Explains what sexual harassment is, how it is defined by law, and what you can do if you are sexually harassed.

2019

Your Rights When You Are Pregnant

Explains the laws related to being pregnant on the job and provides tips to prepare for your maternity leave.

2018

2018 Annual Report

Doubling Down on Rising Up, Together. Since 1973, Women Employed has been making change in the workplace to elevate us all. We have stood up for equal opportunity and economic advancement. We have paved the way for millions to get their degrees. And we have leveraged partnerships to make it happen. We are bringing people to the table to build a movement to improve the lives of working women and their families.

2018

A Letter to Senator Durbin on the Kavanaugh Hearing

2018

Almost a Year After #MeToo, There’s Still Further to Go

2018

How the Model Minority Myth Hurts Equal Pay Efforts

2018

I was asked about my past wages in a job interview. So what’s the problem?

2018

Women Employed’s 2019 Illinois Women’s Agenda

2017

2017 Annual Report

Moving Forward, Together. In a tumultuous year for our country, we have forged ahead to ensure all women can access fair workplaces, quality jobs, and education and training leading to better opportunities. In this report, you’ll read about crucial advances we’ve made this year on equal pay, paid sick time, and pathways to college and careers. The key to our success is you.

2017

Chicago and Cook County Earned Sick Time Ordinances

Learn more about the Chicago and Cook County earned sick time ordinances.

2017

Healthy Workplace Act Fact Sheet

This fact sheet provides information on the Healthy Workplace Act, a bill that would allow Illinois workers to earn up to five paid sick days per year.

2017

How I Missed Out On Over $350,000 Working in Technology

2017

It’s Native Women’s Equal Pay Day, Not Equal ‘Other’ Pay Day

2017

Until all women have equal pay, let’s mark Equal Pay Day for all

2016

2016 Annual Report

2016

Sample Parental Leave Policy

This document is a sample Parental Leave Policy outlining a minimum standard that employers can use to craft their own.

2015

2015 Annual Report

2014

Tackling Unstable and Unpredictable Work Schedules

Unpredictable and unstable work schedules leave many workers in a constant state of economic instability and personal turmoil. This policy brief explores scheduling problems and highlights policy solutions and employer practices that would allow workers the time and economic security they need to care for their families, while also helping employers maximize the value their workers provide.

2014

The Reality of Unstable and Unpredictable Schedules

What is life like when you’re a low-wage worker with an unstable and unpredictable work schedule? This fact sheet breaks it down, illustrating how volatile scheduling leaves many workers in a constant state of economic instability and personal turmoil. It also shows how this practice is bad for employers and business, as well as highlighting policy solutions that would help many workers achieve the economic security they need to care for their families.

2012

Chicago’s Growing Low-Wage Workforce: A Profile of Falling Labor Market Fortunes

This research report examines the changing demographics of Chicago’s growing low-wage workforce and provides solutions to address the economic crisis low-wage work inflicts on families and communities.

2011

Your Rights on the Job: Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to some common questions around severance agreements if you’ve been laid off, whether you should hire an attorney if you feel you’ve faced discrimination, how to respond to potentially discriminatory questions, and what your rights are if you’ve been fired.

2003

Pathways and Progress: Best Practices to Ensure Fair Compensation (Full Report)

What are the most common barriers to fair compensation, and what are the most effective ways that organizations can overcome them? This cutting-edge report on compensation practices outlines flexible approaches and proven solutions that work for businesses and nonprofits of all sizes. Learn how leading employers have used these approaches to improve their compensation practices and obtain tools that are applicable to any organization.

2000

Raising Women’s Pay

An agenda and series of recommendations that offer concrete solutions to the problems of unequal pay, occupational segregation, glass ceiling discrimination, and low-wage and temporary work.