Every employer in the State of New York is required to establish a sexual harassment prevention policy. Employers are also required to provide employees with sexual harassment prevention training. (NY LAB, Sec. 201-g)
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 unlawful sexual harassment;
- including information concerning the federal and state statutory provisions concerning sexual harassment and remedies available to targets of sexual harassment;
- include information concerning employees’ rights of redress and all available forums for adjudicating complaints; and
- include information addressing conduct by supervisors and additional responsibilities for supervisors.
Every employee must receive sexual harassment prevention training annually. During this annual training, employees must receive the New York Sexual Harassment Prevention Notice.
Employers are encouraged to provide the New York Sexual Harassment Pamphlet to employees for training purposes.
The New York Sexual Harassment Pamphlet covers:
- employee rights under the New York Human Rights Law;
- examples of prohibited conduct;
- statute of limitations;
- steps to take if an employee is being sexually harassed;
- frequently asked questions;
- directions on how to contact the New York State Division of Human Rights to file a complaint.