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* I sent two questions to all gubernatorial candidates in both parties the other day. Their deadline was noon today. As with the AG candidate responses, their answers have been slightly edited to avoid repeating these two questions…
(1) Does your campaign have a written sexual harassment policy? (If so, please send. If not, please explain why.)
(2) Has your campaign conducted any sexual harassment training sessions? (If so, please include dates. If not, please explain why.)
* Posted in the order they were received. Pritzker campaign…
1) “The campaign has a written sexual harassment policy included in its employee handbook, which staff is required to review and sign at the beginning of their employment with the campaign. The campaign’s sexual harassment policy makes clear that the campaign is committed to providing a work environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, gives examples of prohibited sexual harassment, and outlines reporting procedures so that victims and witnesses of sexual harassment know who they can talk to if they experience or witness harassment, discrimination, or retaliation. The campaign ensures that reported sexual harassment allegations will be investigated in a timely fashion and by an independent and external body when appropriate. JB and Juliana’s administration will operate under these same policies and have zero tolerance for harassment of any form.”
2) “On December 14, 2017, the campaign participated in a comprehensive, all-staff sexual harassment training that was conducted by labor and employment attorney, Jeannil Boji. The campaign takes harassment very seriously and chose to devote time and resources to participate in this training so that our staff understands the campaign’s sexual harassment policies and reporting procedures as well as the campaign’s commitment to cultivating a fair, respectful, non-threatening workplace environment free of sexual harassment and intimidating behaviors. The training, entitled “Advancing Respect and Fairness in The Campaign Workplace,” aimed to go beyond what is merely required under the law, making clear that even if conduct does not fall under the legal definition of harassment, conduct which erodes a fair and respectful work environment is contrary to the campaign’s values, culture, and policies. The training provided an open forum for staff to ask questions, discuss the #MeToo movement, and examine specific issues and examples applicable to political and campaign settings. After the all-staff presentation, senior management received additional training focused on recognizing, rooting out, and investigating sexual harassment, and fostering a workplace where colleagues treat each other with the utmost respect and civility. Training participants were provided with the campaign’s written sexual harassment policies and were asked to sign a statement confirming their participation and pledging to abide by the campaign’s policies.”
The full policy is here.
* Rauner campaign…
Hi, Rich-
See below for our campaign’s policy [click here]. It’s a part of our standard employee contract. In light of recent events, we’re working to ensure every employee and volunteer on the campaign has the appropriate resources and training to comply with our policy.
I followed up about the training date(s) and haven’t heard back.
* Biss campaign…
“Yes, our campaign has a written sexual harassment policy and yes, we have conducted a sexual harassment training session where we established procedures for reporting harassment. We signed on to the IDCCA sexual harassment policy and have posted the policy publicly in each of our field offices to make sure staff and volunteers are aware as well.”
I followed up about the training dates and was told “last week.” The IDCCA sexual harassment policy is here.
* This whole question idea came to me when Chris Kennedy announced a plan to combat campaign-related sexual harassment. Here’s his campaign’s response…
1) Yes, we have a written sexual harassment policy. It’s included in our overall campaign policy document signed by staff members when they start. [Click here.]
2) This is an important issue and one for which our campaign has developed a proposed policy platform that we released earlier this week. We are bringing in an outside expert to lead sexual harassment training for our campaign staff. We have an ongoing dialogue on our team about harassment and we have identified a staff member on our team who others can turn to with any concerns, complaints or allegations of workplace and sexual harassment.
Republican Rep. Jeanne Ives and Democratic candidates Bob Daiber and Tio Hardiman did not respond. Neither of the Dems have much of anything in the way of staff, however.
*** UPDATE 1 *** The Daiber campaign insists they sent this to me last night, but I can’t find it. Here’s their answer…
1. The Daiber for Governor Committee adopted the IL Democratic County Chairs’ Association Sexual Harassment Policy and Pledge.
2. Yes, Friday, February 23rd. A review of the policy and pledge was discussed at the training.
So, the tiny little Daiber campaign has had a sexual harassment training and the Kennedy campaign, which recently unveiled a plan which would require every campaign to do harassment training, hasn’t yet done a training session.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Yikes…
Once again, the Kennedy camp proves they're not ready for prime time. The #metoo issue is proof that policies aren't worth the paper they're written on w/o leadership and follow-through. Issue a plan & flog it for all the press you can but don’t bother adhering to it. SMH #twill https://t.co/0tep0ExAtb
— Rep. Kelly Cassidy (@RepKellyCassidy) February 28, 2018
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Feb 28, 18 @ 12:44 pm
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===2) This is an important issue and one for which our campaign has developed a proposed policy platform that we released earlier this week. We are bringing in an outside expert to lead sexual harassment training for our campaign staff. We have an ongoing dialogue on our team about harassment and we have identified a staff member on our team who others can turn to with any concerns, complaints or allegations of workplace and sexual harassment.===
Or shorter… Kennedy Crew…
(2) Has your campaign conducted any sexual harassment training sessions? (If so, please include dates. If not, please explain why.)
“No”
Searching for the yearbook answer, “no” is still no
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Feb 28, 18 @ 1:03 pm
“We are bringing in an outside expert to lead sexual harassment training for our campaign staff.”
When? On March 21st?
Comment by Anon0091 Wednesday, Feb 28, 18 @ 1:24 pm
Outside expert? Greitens?
Comment by Blue dog dem Wednesday, Feb 28, 18 @ 1:37 pm
The outside expert is a lawyer from Newport Beach Ca., Bob Loblaw.
Sexual Harrassment Policies aren’t put in place to protect employees. They are put in place primarily to protect employers.
Comment by Henry Francis Wednesday, Feb 28, 18 @ 1:44 pm
Does anybody think a Kennedy administration will be more functional than Rauner’s? That bar might be too low, how about compared to the PQ administration?
Comment by Almost the Weekend Wednesday, Feb 28, 18 @ 3:18 pm
To the Update,
Can’t find where Rep. Cassidy is wrong…
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Feb 28, 18 @ 3:40 pm
Chris Kennedy, not ready for prime time, exhibit 3,692.
Comment by Anon0091 Wednesday, Feb 28, 18 @ 4:03 pm
How about 3 State Bob?
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Feb 28, 18 @ 4:18 pm
@RepCassidy
A bit melodramatic, no? Next time do Dan Biss a favor and try using subtlety in the future.
Comment by Red fish blue fish Wednesday, Feb 28, 18 @ 5:58 pm
As with Gray Grasso in the AG thread, JB should get some sort of nod for addressing this with training in December, before questions arose about campaign staff. I wonder why all the folks did not think of this and signed on to the IDCCA statement and maybe had training last week or are tying to round something up now. Sexual harassment training is not exactly a new thing; it’s pretty standard in business and government and it’s not like it hasn’t been a media story.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Feb 28, 18 @ 8:56 pm
does Biss have to disclose a Cassidy tweet as in kind?
Comment by Rutro Wednesday, Feb 28, 18 @ 9:02 pm