A Chicago woman is excited because she just landed her dream job working in a management role at a Chicago bank. On her first day, she introduces herself to all of her co-workers. Later that day, she is surprised that a male coworker invites her to lunch one-on-one, and she declines politely. Over the next few weeks, the male coworker continues to ask her to go to lunch. He talks to her more than anyone else in their office. He sometimes tries to give her a shoulder rub and hug her. He begins constantly messaging her using their company’s internal communication channel. Later, she notices that an unfamiliar Instagram account has been liking all of her posts on her personal Instagram page. She suspects that it is her co-worker. He starts bringing up information she has never told him before, and now she is concerned that he is cyberstalking her. What can she do to protect herself?
Steps to Take if Someone is Cyberstalking You
If you feel like your safety is in immediate danger, you should call 911. If you feel like you are being followed, go somewhere safe, like a police station, domestic violence shelter, or fire station. You should also file an official complaint with the police, telling them about all of the incidents and threats. You may choose to pursue a stalking no contact order, also called a protective order. The protective order requires your cyberstalker to stay away from you. He or she will not be able to contact you on the phone, online, or in person.
When you are dealing with a cyberstalker who is also your coworker, we recommend speaking to an attorney. Your attorney can help you navigate dealing with your human resources department. You will need to notify your employer about the cyberstalking and protective order if you already have one. Your employer will need to remove the stalker from your workplace. You may want to consider changing your phone number and the locks on your home. We recommend writing down every incident that occurs involving your cyberstalker in a notebook and making sure you include all the details you can remember. You should also print out copies of evidence, including screenshots or emails from your phone, and record all of your contact with the police.
Doing so will help you as you pursue a more long-term protective order against the cyberstalker. Depending on the facts of your case, you may be able to hold your employer accountable. For example, if you inform your employer about the harassment and they do nothing about it, they may be in violation of federal and state harassment laws.
Contact a Chicago Cyberstalking Lawyer Today
If you are the victim of a cyberstalker from your workplace or anywhere else, you need a skilled Illinois lawyer on your side. Contact Glasgow & Olsson today to schedule your initial consultation to learn how our legal team can fight for your rights and protection.