Sexual Harassment Training

Los Angeles, California

1. All employers that have employees in California must take reasonable steps to prevent discrimination and harassment, such as policy assimilation and training. Employers must provide sexual harassment prevention training in a classroom setting and must also provide instructions on how to contact a trainer who can answer questions within two business days.
2. SB1343 requires covered employers to provide at least two hours of sexual harassment prevention training and education to all supervisory employees and at least one hour of such training to all non-supervisory employees in California, by January 1, 2020. Training and education must be provided once every two years thereafter, as specified under the new law.
3. California sexual harassment training should start by reviewing what constitutes sexual harassment under FEHA and Title VII. It should cover statutes and case-law that prohibits and prevents sexual harassment, including an explanation of ‘abusive conduct’ under Government Code section 12950.1, subdivision (g)(2). Training should also cover the consequences of breaking these laws.
4. In addition to prohibitions against sexual harassment, training should cover gender harassment and harassment based on pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions, as well as harassment based on all other characteristics listed above and under the law including gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. The training should also include prohibitions against abusive behavior and bullying
5. Furthermore, training should include strategies for preventing sexual harassment and remedies available for victims of harassment. A crucial part of this training includes providing resources for victims of sexual harassment, including a clear understanding of the complaint process and its confidentiality. 

The final crucial component is that any training must include questions that assess learning, skill-building activities to assess understanding and application of content, and hypothetical scenarios about harassment with discussion questions.[5]

1. Press Room: New CareerBuilder Survey Finds 72 Percent of Workers Who Experience Sexual Harassment at Work Do Not Report it
2. https://www.zenefits.com/blog/new-trends-workplace-sexual-harassment-reports/
3. https://www.cda.org/news-events/employers-must-provide-sexual-harassment-prevention-training-to-all-employees-by-jan-1-2020
4. https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/tools-and-samples/toolkits/pages/california_complying-with-california-sexual-harassment-training-requirements.aspx
5. https://www.dfeh.ca.gov/resources/frequently-asked-questions/employment-faqs/sexual-harassment-faqs/