Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Buffalo NY

Understanding the Importance of Sexual Harassment Prevention Training

Sexual harassment in the workplace is a major issue that affects not only the individuals involved but also the overall health of an organization. Back in 2018, New York State passed legislation aimed at preventing sexual harassment and gender discrimination in the workplace. This included mandatory policies and sexual harassment prevention training for all employees. In Western NY, businesses are increasingly recognizing the need for effective sexual harassment prevention training. This type of training is essential for creating a safe and respectful work environment, ensuring compliance with state and federal laws, and protecting the company’s reputation.

Key Components to a Successful Program

New York State requires two major components to a successful Program. The first being the adoption of a Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy. New York State developed a model policy. An employer that does not adopt the model policy must ensure that the policy that they adopt meets or exceeds the following minimum standards.

The policy must:

Prohibit sexual harassment consistent with guidance issued by the Department of Labor in consultation with the Division of Human Rights.
Provide examples of prohibited conduct that would constitute unlawful sexual harassment.
Include information concerning the federal and state statutory provisions concerning sexual harassment, remedies available to victims of sexual harassment, and a statement that there may be applicable local laws.
Include a complaint form.
Include a procedure for the timely and confidential investigation of complaints that ensures due process for all parties.
Inform employees of their rights of redress and all available forums for adjudicating sexual harassment complaints administratively and judicially.
Clearly state that sexual harassment is considered a form of employee misconduct and that sanctions will be enforced against individuals engaging in sexual harassment and against supervisory and managerial personnel who knowingly allow such behavior to continue.
Clearly state that retaliation against individuals who complain of sexual harassment or who testify or assist in any investigation or proceeding involving sexual harassment is unlawful.

The second component of a successful Program is providing employees with Sexual Harassment Prevention Training. New York State developed a model training. An employer that does not use the model training developed by the Department of Labor and Division of Human Rights must ensure that the training that they use meets or exceeds the following minimum standards.

The training must:

Be interactive
Include an explanation of sexual harassment consistent with guidance issued by the Department of Labor in consultation with the Division of Human Rights.
Include examples of conduct that would constitute unlawful sexual harassment.
Include information concerning the federal and state statutory provisions concerning sexual harassment and remedies available to victims of sexual harassment.
Include information concerning employees’ rights of redress and all available forms of adjudicating complaints.
Include information addressing conduct by supervisors and any additional responsibilities for such supervisors.

Each employee must receive training on an annual basis, starting October 9, 2018.

Why Choose Online Sexual Harassment Prevention Training?

Every employer in New York State is required to provide employees with sexual harassment prevention training. NY State does provide a free video on their website that meets all the state minimum requirements except one: the video alone is NOT considered interactive. If you are utilizing their video to meet the training requirements, you must also:

ask questions of employees as part of the program
accommodate questions asked by employees, with answers provided in a timely manner
OR require feedback from employees about the training and materials presented

Our Online Sexual Harassment Prevention Training IS considered interactive as it meets the above requirements within the training module.

The Benefits of Comprehensive Training

Investing in Sexual Harassment Prevention Training is not just about compliance, it’s about building a positive and productive workplace.

Reduced Legal Risks: Effective training can help mitigate the risk of costly lawsuits and legal penalties.
Improved Employee Morale: A respectful work environment boosts employee satisfaction and retention.
Enhanced Reputation: Companies known for their commitment to a safe workplace are more attractive to top talent and clients.

Partner with Us for Effective Training

Creekside Business Consulting is dedicated to helping businesses in Buffalo, NY, create safe and respectful workplaces. We offer effective Online Sexual Harassment Prevention Training programs that meet all of NY States requirements without any extra lifting on your part.

Contact us today by calling us at (716) 249-0997 or filling out the below form to learn more about how we can help your organization achieve its goals and maintain a harassment-free workplace. Together, we can make a difference.