Which Businesses have to Provide Sexual Harassment Training?
Whether you’re a small business owner or work within a large organization, it’s important to make sure that your staff have all received sexual harassment prevention training.
Not only does it reduce potential risks, but it also makes your workplace a safer and more inclusive space.
With sexual harassment being one of the most common forms of harassment in the workplace, making sure your employees receive the right training can make a big difference to your workplace culture. In some states, sexual harassment training for companies is mandatory, so providing your employees with informative training programs is especially vital.
If you’re wondering whether your business needs to supply sexual harassment training for your staff members, then this little guide will explain which states have sexual harassment training requirements, and how you can make sure that you comply with the law.
Employer Responsibilities
What does the law say?
Employment law does vary across states, which can make it difficult to check whether workplace harassment prevention training is mandatory in your area.
Whilst many places require all state staff to receive training, only 7 states require private businesses to provide training. The states where sexual harassment training is mandatory for private employees are:
- California
- New York - with additional requirements for businesses in New York City.
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Maine
- Hawaii
- Massachusetts
The legal deadlines for existing employees to complete training do vary, so you may have to double-check for your specific state.
Does my business need to provide training?
Your responsibilities as an employer will vary according to the location and size of your business. If you are employed by the state, then the local government will likely be in charge of all compliance training.
If you live in a state where training is mandatory for all employees, here is the minimum number of team members your company must have before training is required:
- California - at least 5 employees, including seasonal staff.
- New York - all employers must provide training, but organizations in NYC with at least 15 employees have extra requirements.
- Connecticut - at least 3 staff members.
- Delaware - 50 or more staff members.
- Maine - at least 15 staff members.
- Hawaii - mandatory for all businesses.
- Massachusetts - mandatory for all businesses.
If you’re unsure, always double-check your state government’s advice for extra information.
How can my business follow the law?
The easiest way to ensure that your business complies with the state law is to provide an online sexual harassment training course for all employees. You can find many options that have been approved by state governments, and they’re relatively easy for staff members to complete.
You can also choose an in-person training course for your organization. This can be an excellent way to ensure your employees are adequately trained, as well as gain advice on your harassment policy. Many providers also offer specialized training for Human Resources staff, to ensure they know how to appropriately resolve sexual harassment complaints.
You should also make sure your staff receive regular training, as most states with anti-sexual harassment laws require staff to repeat training courses approximately every 2 years.