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California AB 1825 Legislation
In September 2004, Governor Schwarzenegger signed legislation requiring all companies with more than 50 employees to provide sexual harassment prevention training for supervisors.
The Specifics…
What companies are affected?
Any company who employs more than 50 people, including temporary workers and independent contractors, must provide sexual harassment prevention training to all supervisory employees. Since it is not specified that the 50 employees must actually be in California , any organization with 50 or more total employees and any presence in California may be required to comply.
What is the required timeframe?
Companies must provide the training by January 1, 2006 , and must refresh that training every two years.
Who must be trained?
The law specifies only employees with supervisory responsibilities - i.e. those with the ability to hire, fire, impact compensation, direct employee responsibilities, etc. - are required to attend training.
What type of training is required?
Legislation provides general guidelines for required sexual harassment prevention training. Training must include “information and practical guidance” regarding both federal and state laws concerning the issue of sexual harassment. The law also states that training must include “practical examples” of preventing harassment and needs to be presented by those with knowledge and expertise in this area. Finally, training must be in a classroom or an otherwise “effective interactive” environment. Because of this, videos or lectures that do not include participation may be insufficient.
Click here to read the full text of CA AB 1825 [PDF]
What does this mean for your organization?
Sexual harassment prevention training legislation in California could have national implications. Organizations with any presence in California could be subject to the new requirements, and although the law only stipulates that supervisors need training, this puts others who have not been trained at risk, and does not provide the “affirmative defense” option. This makes training everyone safer.
If you have any questions about the implications of AB 1825 for your organization, please feel free to contact us.
