On May 9, 2018, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed several laws addressing sexual harassment in the workplace. The laws, also known as “Stop Sexual Harassment in New York City Act,” amend the New York City Human Rights Law. The New York City Human Rights Law bans employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation on Read more
On April 10, 2018, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the New York State Budget Bill, which includes a mandate for employers designed to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. Under the mandate, New York employers will be required to provide sexual harassment training to all workers. Employers without anti-harassment policies should start designing and implementing them Read more
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 Read more
In the last month, the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace has been brought to the spotlight with multiple allegations of sexual harassment and assault against U.S. film producer Harvey Weinstein. A number of women and men have used this opportunity to recount their experiences of workplace harassment. Employers are urged to enforce their Read more
On October 27, 2015, an Act to amend various statutes with respect to sexual violence, sexual harassment, domestic violence and related matters passed the first reading. The Act, also known as Bill 132, has amended provisions that specify employers’ obligations to have a program and a policy to protect employees from workplace harassment. The new Read more
The state of Texas has recently passed a law (Bill H 1151) that protects unpaid interns from sexual harassment in the workplace. The law, which went into effect on September 1st, defines sexual harassment as an “unwelcomed sexual advance, a request for a sexual favor, or any other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual Read more
Summer is just around the corner and already employers are planning for the arrival of unpaid interns to join their workplace ranks. As defined under federal, state and local law, the term “unpaid intern” generally refers to a closely supervised individual who works for an employer on a temporary basis and the work provides training Read more
The US DOL Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has published a proposed rule updating the sex discrimination guidelines for federal contractors and subcontractors. The sex discrimination guidelines implement Executive Order 11246, which prohibits companies with federal contracts and subcontracts from sex discrimination in employment. The proposed rule would replace existing sex discrimination guidelines, Read more
California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) which covers discrimination and harassment was recently amended through Senate Bill 292 which is effective January 1, 2014. Specifically, the amendment expands that sexually harassing conduct need not be motivated by sexual desire. This reduces the force of a California Court of Appeals decision (Kelley v. The Conco Read more
Beginning this year, all Illinois private and public institutions of higher learning must post a state-mandated sexual harassment poster. If your school hasn’t done so already, there is still time to comply. What is the law? The Illinois Human Rights Act (“Act”) makes it unlawful for teachers, professors, facility members and other employees of colleges Read more
