Amid a catastrophic health and economic crisis, Illinois public leaders have a shared responsibility to keep working families safe and stable. Yet, at-will employment—which grants employers free reign to terminate workers at any time and justified by any or no reason—prevents our communities from accessing reliable employment. This enables a culture of fear that prevents workers from improving their workplaces; and undermines our public health and employment standards. 

Unjust firings are a sorely unrecognized part of our current labor and economic crisis. In 2021, over 68% of workers reported they, or a co-worker, worked while sick or injured to avoid being fired. How are we supposed to improve jobs when employers are armed with an easy scapegoat to keep workplace conditions low while raising the veil over abuse?

Real change for workers starts with challenging the wrongs that are embedded into today’s labor practices. Join us and take action now!

Illinois lawmakers should act now to end unjust firings and encourage just cause practices that advance economic recovery and workplace safety. Last year, over 68% of workers reported they, or a co-worker, worked while sick or injured to avoid being fired. We must act now for the safety and stability of Illinois families, so that workplace mistreatment does not result in needless unemployment.