Reminder: Complete new sexual harassment training

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Earlier this year, we provided you with a comprehensive summary of California’s new sexual harassment training requirements. Prior to the enactment of these new requirements, employers with at least 50 employees were required to provide two hours of sexual harassment training to supervisors. Now, employers with at least five employees are required to provide sexual harassment training to all employees.

More specifically, employers with at least five employees are required to provide:

  • At least two hours of classroom or other effective interactive training and education regarding sexual harassment to all supervisory employees, and;
  • At least one hour of classroom or other effective interactive training and education regarding sexual harassment to all nonsupervisory employees.

The above training must take place within six months of the employee’s assumption of a position and at least once every two years thereafter.

Initially, the deadline to complete the new sexual harassment training was January 1, 2020. However, California recently amended the law to give employers until January 1, 2021 to complete the training requirements applicable to most employers. This amendment did not extend the deadline to provide training to seasonal or temporary employees.

Beginning January 1, 2020, for seasonal and temporary employees, or any other employee that is hired to work for less than six months, employers with five or more employees must also provide training within 30 calendar days after the hire date or within 100 hours worked, whichever occurs first.

As another reminder, the required sexual harassment training must be presented by trainers or educators with knowledge and expertise in the prevention of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. If you are looking for an experienced trainer to help you meet the new sexual harassment training requirements, our office can assist.