Sexual Harassment Compliance in 2020: Now is the Time for Online Training

By: Katie Cummins, HR Consultant 

As Illinois employers already know, new obligations related to workplace discrimination and sexual harassment reporting and training requirements went into effect for 2020 with the passing of The Workplace Transparency Act (WTA).  The need for sexual harassment training is not only a best practice, but now a requirement for all Illinois employers in 2020.  

 

While sexual harassment prevention and training may not be at the forefront for some due to the COVID-19 pandemic, savvy business owners and employers are wisely using this time for important compliance training.  

Businesses should consider using this time when their workforce is remote to focus on training.  Promote existing professional development opportunities, launch new learning opportunities that can lead to a competitive advantage for your workforce, and move up annual compliance training such, as sexual harassment prevention.  

If your business is seeing a decline in demand for products or services from your customers, you may be struggling to keep your employees busy. This is an excellent time for your company to invest in its human capital. Keep employees busy and feeling productive during these slow times, which won’t last forever. After the COVID-19 pandemic slows, many businesses anticipate a ramp up once things are back to “normal”.  The new “normal” could mean more business, with employees busier than ever before so it’s wise to take advantage of this time to complete required training while everyone can do so remotely. In-person sexual harassment training can easily be moved to virtual online training for employees and managers to complete at home.

Why Remote Training?

Businesses should use this time when their workforce is remote to focus on required compliance training.  Remote training keeps your employees engaged and productive, especially if they experience periods of down time.  Out of necessity, remote training may also the most practical option.  Even as restrictions may start to lift during the pandemic, social distancing guidelines, rotating shifts, and limited staff in office may still be present for quite some time.  The ability to conduct in-person training with staff may not be feasible in the foreseeable future.  

HRBOOST® can help.  We offer 100% online employee and manager training for sexual harassment prevention.  In addition, we offer online bilingual sexual harassment training for both employees and managers and have partnered with EEO-Training to offer virtual multi-state training as well.  Our prices are competitive, and our training is easy to use.  It’s simple, it’s compliant, and it’s 100% online.  With prices starting at just $150, being compliant is also affordable.  Visit HRBOOST®’s website for a listing of all our training options and to purchase directly online https://hrboost.com/harassment-in-the-workplace-training/

What Should Employers Do Next?

At HRBOOST®, we recommend the following steps employers should take to be prepared for this sexual harassment training:

• Review your employee handbook and current policies related to harassment and discrimination and ensure you have strong policies prohibiting harassment of all parties and protected classes and you have a reporting process in place for victims and witnesses.  
• Provide ONLINE annual sexual harassment training to all employees and managers now to meet your compliance obligation.

At HRBOOST®, we are not employment attorneys, but we can help with policy development, process review, and training. Give us call, we are always on standby! Be proactive and check your 2020 compliance off the list now!