Sexual Harassment and Retaliation Policy Invictus Mind-Body Integration Therapy PLLC Effective Date: July 9, 2024 1. Policy Statement Invictus Mind-Body Integration Therapy PLLC is committed to maintaining a professional environment free from sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. Sexual harassment is unlawful and is strictly prohibited by Invictus Mind-Body Integration Therapy PLLC. This policy applies to the owner and to any current or future employees, applicants, independent contractors, consultants, or other individuals performing services for or on behalf of the company, as applicable. This policy is intended to comply with Section 2-105(A)(4) of the Illinois Human Rights Act, 775 ILCS 5/2-105(A)(4). 2. Definition of Sexual Harassment Under the Illinois Human Rights Act, sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other conduct of a sexual nature when: 1.Submission to such conduct is made explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment; 2.Submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as the basis for an employment decision affecting the individual; or 3.The conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment. Sexual harassment may occur regardless of the gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation of the individuals involved. 3. Examples of Prohibited Conduct Sexual harassment may include, but is not limited to: •Unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors; •Unwanted touching, hugging, kissing, or other physical contact of a sexual nature; •Repeated or unwelcome requests for dates; •Sexual jokes, comments, innuendos, or gestures; •Comments regarding an individual's body, appearance, clothing, sexuality, or sexual activity; •Displaying or transmitting sexually suggestive or explicit images, messages, emails, texts, or other materials; •Making employment, compensation, assignments, advancement, contracts, or other professional opportunities dependent upon accepting sexual conduct; •Threatening or imposing professional consequences because an individual rejected sexual conduct; or •Other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment. Sexual harassment may occur in person or through electronic communications, including email, text messages, social media, virtual meetings, or other forms of communication associated with professional activities. 4. Internal Complaint and Investigation Process Any person who believes they have experienced, witnessed, or become aware of sexual harassment involving Invictus Mind-Body Integration Therapy PLLC should report the matter promptly. Because Invictus Mind-Body Integration Therapy PLLC is currently a single-member, owner-operated business, complaints involving future employees, contractors, consultants, or other persons working on behalf of the company should ordinarily be reported directly to the Owner/Authorized Representative. When circumstances make reporting directly to the owner inappropriate, or when the complaint concerns the owner, the individual may pursue the external reporting procedures described in this policy, including contacting the Illinois Department of Human Rights. All complaints received by the company will be taken seriously and reviewed promptly and impartially to the extent reasonably possible. Information concerning a complaint will be handled with appropriate discretion, consistent with the need to investigate and respond to the matter. If an investigation or review determines that this policy has been violated, appropriate corrective action will be taken. Depending upon the circumstances and the individual's relationship with the company, corrective action may include counseling, training, warning, reassignment, removal from an assignment, termination of a contractual or professional relationship, or termination of employment. 5. External Legal Recourse and Complaint Process Individuals are not required to rely solely upon Invictus Mind-Body Integration Therapy PLLC's internal complaint process. A person who believes they have experienced unlawful sexual harassment may have the right to file a charge with the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR). IDHR receives and investigates charges alleging violations of the Illinois Human Rights Act. Depending upon the circumstances and outcome of the administrative process, matters may proceed through the Illinois Human Rights Commission (IHRC) or other legally available proceedings and remedies. Individuals may seek information directly from IDHR concerning applicable filing requirements, deadlines, procedures, and available remedies. 6. Illinois Department of Human Rights Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) Chicago Office 555 West Monroe Street, Suite 700 Chicago, Illinois 60661 Phone: (312) 814-6200 TTY: (866) 740-3953 Springfield Office 524 S. 2nd Street, Suite 300 Springfield, Illinois 62701 Phone: (217) 785-5100 TTY: (866) 740-3953 Website: dhr.illinois.gov Individuals may contact IDHR directly for information regarding filing a charge of discrimination or sexual harassment. 7. Illinois Human Rights Commission Individuals may also obtain information concerning proceedings before the Illinois Human Rights Commission (IHRC) through the Commission or its official State of Illinois resources. The Illinois Human Rights Commission is the State agency responsible for adjudicating complaints of civil rights violations under the Illinois Human Rights Act when matters proceed before the Commission. Website: ihrc.illinois.gov 8. Protection Against Retaliation Invictus Mind-Body Integration Therapy PLLC strictly prohibits retaliation. Consistent with Sections 6-101 and 6-101.5 of the Illinois Human Rights Act, no individual will be subjected to retaliation for engaging in legally protected activity, including in good faith: •Opposing or reporting sexual harassment or unlawful discrimination; •Making or supporting an internal complaint; •Filing or assisting with a charge or complaint with IDHR or another appropriate agency; •Participating in an investigation, hearing, or other proceeding; •Providing information or evidence regarding alleged harassment or discrimination; or •Exercising rights protected under the Illinois Human Rights Act. Retaliation may include termination, threats, intimidation, harassment, adverse assignments or professional actions, interference with employment or contracting opportunities, or other materially adverse treatment because an individual engaged in protected activity. A complaint does not have to ultimately be substantiated for an individual who made or participated in a good-faith complaint to be protected from unlawful retaliation. Any suspected retaliation should be reported and will be addressed promptly. 9. Enforcement Invictus Mind-Body Integration Therapy PLLC will take appropriate corrective action when a violation of this policy is established. Any employee, contractor, consultant, or other person working on behalf of the company who violates this policy may be subject to corrective action up to and including termination of employment, termination of a contractual or consulting relationship, or removal from work performed on behalf of the company, as applicable. 10. Policy Administration Invictus Mind-Body Integration Therapy PLLC is currently a single-member, owner-operated business with no additional employees. This policy nevertheless establishes the company's standards regarding sexual harassment and retaliation and will apply to future employees, contractors, consultants, and other individuals performing services on behalf of the company as applicable. A copy of this policy will be provided to the Illinois Department of Human Rights or a State contracting agency upon request. Adopted by: Lizzi Varga Reinard, LCPC Owner / Authorized Representative Invictus Mind-Body Integration Therapy PLLC