Employers in the State of New York received much-anticipated additional insight into the new requirements regarding sexual harassment prevention training that they will need to provide their employees on an annual basis. As discussed in our prior publication, on April 12th of this year Governor Cuomo signed into law broad changes and enhancements to the approach on preventing sexual harassment. Since the enactment by the State of New York, and the subsequent “Stop Sexual Harassment in NYC Act,” signed into law by Mayor DeBlasio on May 9, 2018, employers have been awaiting further details to assist them in complying with the various new requirements.
This month, the State of New York provided a model training program, complaint form and internal policy, in addition to answers to many of the outstanding questions. Key highlights from the recent announcement include:
- Although the law goes into effect October 9, 2018, All employees (including part-time, transient, or temporary employees) must be provided sexual harassment prevention training that meets the minimum standards by January 1, 2019;
- New employees that start after January 1, 2019 must be provided compliant sexual harassment prevention training within 30 days of hire;
- Investigations of sexual harassment complaints are to be completed within 30 days;
- Employers are to incorporate industry specific examples into their sexual harassment prevention training;
- Employers are to provide the sexual harassment prevention training in the language that is spoken by their employees; and
- The New York State requirements are open for public comment until September 12, 2018.
If you have any questions regarding how the recent New York State and New York City requirements may impact your company/organization or would like information regarding Tressler’s Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Program (in English or Spanish), please contact John E. Mancebo in our New York office.