What Sexual Harassment Training Is Required During The COVID-19 Pandemic?

In California, SB-1343 requires that employers who have five or more employees provide:

  • To non-managerial employees – One hour of sexual harassment and abusive conduct prevention training
  • To managerial employees – Two hours of sexual harassment and abusive conduct prevention training

According to the Department of Fair Housing and Employment (DFHE), the training must be provided every other year. Training should focus on “gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation and to include practical examples of such harassment.” The trainers should be educators who have expertise and knowledge the subjects.

SB 1343 also requires that DFHE produce training courses and post them to its website. Employers can then use the online courses instead of hiring personal educators.

The five person requirement applies even if the employees don’t work at the same location – or even if they don’t all work or live in California. Employees include full-time employees, part-time employees, temps, interns, unpaid volunteers, and independent contractors.

All employees must be trained by January 1, 2021. Employers of 50 or more people must train their supervisory employees within six months from the date the employee becomes a supervisor

How does COVID-19 affect the training deadlines.

The National Review reports that the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) has authorized a 90-day sexual harassment training extension (if an application is filed) for employees hied after October 1, 2019. Connecticut has a similar (but not identical) law to California for sexual harassment training by employers.

So far, California has not announced any changes to the sexual harassment deadlines. This is likely in part because the deadline is effectively January 1, 2021 and in part because training may be available online.

At the California Law Offices of Stephen A. Danz and Associates, we have a strong track record of success fighting for victims of sexual harassment. We filed claims against employers who commit or who tolerate sexual harassment and abuse – including creating a hostile work environment. To discuss a sexual harassment claim, call us at 877-789-9707 or fill out our online contact form to speak with an aggressive California sexual harassment lawyer. Se habla espanol.

The owner of this website has made a committment to accessibility and inclusion, please report any problems that you encounter using the contact form on this website. This site uses the WP ADA Compliance Check plugin to enhance accessibility.