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"Workers and activists held a coordinated local protest at the company’s West Loop headquarters as part of a national, 12-city action criticizing how sexual harassment complaints have been handled and urging employees to unionize. Protesters marched with signs calling out unacceptable harassment and retaliatory practices after multiple high-profile cases and complaints emerged: a teenager in Pittsburgh has alleged a manager raped her, the EEOC has sued on behalf of workers in Nevada, Arizona, and California alleging a franchise owner tolerated harassment, and the EEOC has received complaints from Chicago-area employees. The company announced new standards in April that require retaliation, harassment and violence prevention policies, training, and a clear complaint path, but those requirements do not become mandatory until January." - Aimee Levitt