As a response to the #MeToo and #Times Up movements, the New York City Commission on Human Rights has launched a citywide ad campaign to combat sexual harassment in the workplace. The campaign makes it clear that abuse of power and privilege will not be tolerated, and that victims can seek help. Under the New York City Human Rights Law, individuals are protected against discrimination based on gender, which covers sexual harassment. Sexual harassment includes any unwanted sexual behavior such as sexual comments, jokes, innuendo, touching, pressure for dates, texts, or emails that can create a hostile or offensive environment.
The City Council has also passed eleven bills that collectively have been referred to as the “Stop Sexual Harassment in NYC Act.” The legislation requires employers with 15 or more employees, including interns, to conduct annual anti-sexual harassment trainings for all employees. The Commission will be responsible for creating training tools for employers’ use, and for posting on their website online resources about sexual harassment, such as specific descriptions and examples of activities which may be sexual harassment, a description of the commission’s complaint process, and how to contact the commission. The Commission will also be responsible of creating an anti-harassment rights and responsibilities poster that employers must display in the workplace, and an information sheet on sexual harassment that employers must distribute at the time of hire. Mayor Bill de Blasio is expected to sign these bills soon.
The Commission has already released a notice that employers may choose to display in the workplace. The New York City Anti-Harassment poster informs individuals of their rights against sexual harassment and encourages them to report incidents. The poster includes examples of harassment and describes how to access the Commission to make a complaint. To order your copy, click here. If you have any questions, please contact our Compliance Advisors at 1-888-674-6104.