Often referred to as sexual harassment training, it educates learners on what constitutes inappropriate behavior in the workplace, including sexual harassment, bullying, and discrimination. The training covers legal definitions, real-world examples, company policies, reporting procedures, and strategies for preventing and addressing such issues.
Workplace harassment training is essential for all employees across industries, including managers, supervisors, and business owners. HR professionals typically facilitate or organize this training to ensure compliance with legal regulations and company policies. It is usually required during onboarding and repeated annually to maintain compliance and reinforce employee awareness.
Workplace harassment training can be delivered in various formats, such as in-person workshops, virtual webinars, or online learning platforms (LMS), ensuring that employees receive consistent education regardless of location.
States Requiring Specific Harassment Training
- California: Employers with five or more employees must provide workplace harassment training under AB 1825 (two hours every two years for supervisors) and SB 1343 (one hour every two years for non-supervisory employees).
- New York: All employers must provide annual training with specific components outlined by the New York State Human Rights Law.
- Connecticut: Under the Time’s Up Act, employers with three or more employees must provide two hours of training for supervisors, and mandatory training for all employees is provided every ten years.
- Delaware: Employers with 50 or more employees must provide training to all employees and supervisors under Delaware’s sexual harassment law.
- Maine: All employers must train employees and supervisors, with additional requirements for those with 15 or more employees.
- Illinois: Under the Illinois Workplace Transparency Act, all employers must provide annual sexual harassment prevention training to employees and supervisors.
- Washington: Specific industries, such as hospitality and retail, have distinct state requirements for harassment training.
- Oregon: Employers with one or more employees must provide training under Oregon Senate Bill 726.
Why Workplace Harassment Training Matters
Workplace harassment training creates a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment by helping employees recognize and prevent harassment, bullying, and discrimination. It also ensures employers meet legal obligations, particularly in states like California and New York, where non-compliance can lead to fines or lawsuits.
An effective training program must address current legal standards and provide practical, actionable guidance. It should clarify employee responsibilities, equip them to handle difficult situations and minimize legal risks. By reducing the likelihood of harassment, quality training protects the organization, lowers legal exposure, and fosters a respectful workplace culture.
