Cook County Hotel Employees Are Guaranteed Employment Rights Under Illinois Law

 Posted on January 12, 2023 in Main

United States employees in every field have protections that guarantee fair treatment under the law. Some of these laws, such as nondiscrimination laws and sexual harassment protection laws, are federal. Others, such as minimum wage laws, vary from state to state. Illinois has a specific statute that protects hotel room attendants. Hotel workers are not only at risk of harassment and abuse from hotel patrons, but also poor working conditions, especially when they speak limited English or do not have a thorough knowledge of their legal rights. 

Fortunately, if you work at a hotel, motel, or another licensed establishment for temporary occupancy as a room attendant, you do not have to fight to protect your rights by yourself. With the help of an Illinois employment discrimination attorney, you can trust that your rights are respected and protected.

What Kind of Employment Protection Do Chicago Hotel Employees Have? 

In addition to protection against racial, religious, disability status, and national origin discrimination offered to employees in every field, hotel employees have some specific protections codified in ILCS 140/3.1. These include: 

• Two 15-minute rest breaks and one 30-minute meal break on each day that the employee works more than seven hours. These breaks are to be paid, and employees cannot be required to work during their break. 
• A room on the premises for employees to sit, eat, and enjoy their break periods comfortably. Clean drinking water should be available in this room for free. 
• Complete records of each employee’s break period
• Significant fines for each workday on which the employer violates the break period requirement, paid to the employee 
• Prohibition against an employer retaliating against an employee who exercises their right to take their breaks as protected by law
• The right of the employee to pursue legal action against an employer who violates their rights

It is important to note that the protections afforded under ILCS 140/3.1 only apply to counties in Illinois with populations over three million people, which currently only includes Cook County. Cities in Cook County include Chicago, Skokie, Evanston, Arlington Heights, Glenview, Northbrook, and more. 

Schedule a Consultation with a Wheaton, IL Employment Discrimination Lawyer

We have broad experience in all types of employment discrimination law and will advise you in order to make sure that you get any and all compensation you deserve. Call our offices today at 630-665-7300 to schedule a confidential consultation. 

Source: 

https://ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/082001400K3.1.htm