All NY Employers (State and City): You Are REQUIRED By New Laws To Provide Employees With Sexual Harassment Avoidance Training!

Sexual Harassment Is A Significant Workplace Problem

A new Siena College survey has found that 45 percent of women report having been sexually harassed in their lives, an increase from 36 percent who reported the same last year.

Notably, 70 percent of men and women reported that workplace sexual harassment is a significant problem.

As reported late last year by the EEOC, over the previous seven years, harassment claims declined from 7,944 in 2010 to 6,696 in 2017. However, there has been an increase to about 7,500 claims in 2018 – the highest level since 2012.

Charges filed with the EEOC alleging sexual harassment increased by more than 12 percent from fiscal year 2017.

The New York State Division of Human Rights received 353 complaints for the seven-month period following Oct. 1, 2017, a 60% increase from the same period a year earlier.

New State and City Laws Require Workplace Sexual Harassment Avoidance Training

Workplace sexual harassment clearly is a significant problem, which is one reason why both New York State and New York City have enacted new laws which require workplace sexual harassment avoidance training to be provided to all employees on an annual basis.

Beginning on April 1, 2019, New York City employers with more than 15 employees must provide interactive sexual harassment prevention training to all full and part time employees and interns annually, and to new employees within 90 days of hire.

New York State employers, of any size, must conduct annual sexual harassment prevention training programs, and such programs for new hires by October 2019.

New York Employers MUST Provide Training!

Amy and I have been criss-crossing the state recently conducting numerous such training programs for employers of all sizes – public and private – who seek to be in compliance with both laws. The training, which must be interactive, is short – not much more than an hour – but necessary.

If your business is in New York – State or City – this is a good opportunity to contact us, or any of our employment law partners, to assist with training, handbooks or other compliance issues.

Don’t jeopardize your business – be compliant!