While training in California is required by law, organizations can take advantage to set a consistent tone of what is acceptable in the workplace while meeting compliance requirements.
Role of The California's Civil Rights Agency (CRD) in the Workplace
California’s Civil Rights Agency (CRD) is the state agency charged with enforcing California’s civil rights laws. According to California law, employers with five or more employees must provide at least two hours of sexual harassment training to all supervisory employees and one hour of sexual harassment training to all non-supervisory employees every two years.
Any new supervisory employees must receive this training within six months of their hire date and the training must be provided to all non-supervisory employees within one year of their hire date.
Education on California's Civil Rights Laws
The state of California has developed specific guidelines for the training and their requirements for employers. The main purpose of the training is to promote a work environment that is free from discrimination and promotes respect for all individuals.
The training must include a discussion of the definition and prevention of sexual harassment, the differences between bullying, discrimination, and sexual harassment, the remedies available for addressing sexual harassment, and the legal option available for victims of sexual harassment.
It should also include information about the consequences for engaging in unlawful harassment, and the procedures for reporting any sexual harassment incidents that might occur in the workplace.
Additionally, training must also include information about how the employer will handle any complaints made, and how the employer will ensure all employees are protected from retaliation if they file a report. Finally, the employer must ensure that all supervisors and employees receive the training.
Organizations may provide training live in a classroom, online, or in any other effective, interactive format. Companies such as Seyfarth at Work offer several options including attorney-led instructor-led training as well as eLearning options that comply with California and other state training requirements.
The Benefits of Interactive Training in the Workplace
One of the primary benefits of interactive training is the ability to help build consensus among the participants. When people of different backgrounds and perspectives come together to discuss and solve problems as part of a training exercise, it can help to forge together a common understanding of a topic. This can help to create an environment of shared understanding.
The Help to develop relationships and foster cooperation among the members of an organization. As employees learn alongside each other, they have the opportunity to get to know each other on a personal level as well as explore each other's professional backgrounds and expertise.
This helps to promote and strengthen working relationships, which in turn can help enhance collaboration and improve communication.
In Conclusion
Providing sexual harassment training is important for achieving a safe, respectful work environment. Employers must make sure that their training meets the requirements set forth by California law and that their policies are comprehensive and up to date. Utilizing an effective provider, such as Seyfarth at Work who can combine the training requirements with impactful messaging and employee buy-in ensures the requirements and your policy is understood by all.
