Combating Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Sexual Harassment Prevention Model Policy and Training

Model Prevention Policy

Every employer in the New York State is required to adopt a sexual harassment prevention policy. An employer that does not adopt the model policy must ensure that the policy that they adopt meets or exceeds the following minimum standards.

The policy must:

prohibit sexual harassment consistent with guidance issued by the Department of Labor in consultation with the Division of Human Rights
provide examples of prohibited conduct that would constitute unlawful sexual harassment
include information concerning the federal and state statutory provisions concerning sexual harassment, remedies available to victims of sexual harassment, and a statement that there may be applicable local laws
include a complaint form
include a procedure for the timely and confidential investigation of complaints that ensures due process for all parties
inform employees of their rights of redress and all available forums for adjudicating sexual harassment complaints administratively and judicially
clearly state that sexual harassment is considered a form of employee misconduct and that sanctions will be enforced against individuals engaging in sexual harassment and against supervisory and managerial personnel who knowingly allow such behavior to continue
clearly state that retaliation against individuals who complain of sexual harassment or who testify or assist in any investigation or proceeding involving sexual harassment is unlawful

Sexual Harassment Model Policy

Minimum Standards for Sexual Harassment Prevention Policies.pdf

Model Prevention Policy Notice

This poster, which is an optional tool, is one way to direct both employees and non-employees to your Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy and should be displayed in a highly visible place.

Sexual Harassment Prevention Poster.pdf

Model Complaint Form

New York State Labor Law requires all employers to adopt a sexual harassment policy that includes a complaint form for employees to report alleged incidents of sexual harassment.

Employers can download the model complaint form and share with their employees.

Complaint Form for Reporting Sexual Harassment

Model Training Requirements

Every employer in New York State is required to provide employees with sexual harassment prevention training. An employer that does not use the model training developed by the Department of Labor and Division of Human Rights must ensure that the training that they use meets or exceeds the following minimum standards. Model training materials are available to employers to download.

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 conduct that would constitute unlawful sexual harassment
include information concerning the federal and state statutory provisions concerning sexual harassment and remedies available to victims of sexual harassment
include information concerning employees’ rights of redress and all available forums for adjudicating complaints
include information addressing conduct by supervisors and any additional responsibilities for such supervisors

Each employee must receive training on an annual basis, starting October 9, 2018.

Attention New York City Employers: The New York City Commission on Human Rights has launched an online training program for employers based in New York City that is compliant with New York State requirements. Go to the NYC training program.

Model Sexual Harassment Prevention Training

Model Training Script to Pair with Slide Deck

Model Training Slide Deck

Minimum Standards for Sexual Harassment Prevention Training

Training Videos

Every employer in New York State is required to provide employees with sexual harassment prevention training.

The video below, which may be watched via YouTube or downloaded, meets all state minimum training requirements except one: the video alone is NOT considered interactive. If you are using this video to meet the training requirements, you must also: ask questions of employees as part of the program; accommodate questions asked by employees, with answers provided in a timely manner; or require feedback from employees about the training and the materials presented. This can all be done by using the fillable PDF answer sheet provided here. Employees are able to record their answers directly on the PDF, or print a copy and record answers by hand. Employees should return their answer sheets to their supervisors upon completion of the training and retain a copy for their records.

There is space at the bottom of the answer sheet for employees to include any questions they have while watching the training video, including those specific to their industry, questions about the company’s reporting process and questions about how hypothetical cases would be handled.