Sexual Harassment Training Requirements for Employers in Illinois

 Posted on September 19, 2022 in Employee Rights

Employers in Illinois must meet many ongoing requirements, including keeping records related to workers. These include records of sexual harassment training provided to employees. Employers are required to provide sexual harassment prevention training once per year for all employees. The Illinois Human Rights Act requires this training in order to help prevent and address sexual harassment in the workplace. By ensuring that they meet these requirements, employers can avoid potential penalties or other issues related to record-keeping and compliance with employment laws.

Who Is Required to Receive Sexual Harassment Training?

All employers in Illinois who have at least one employee are required to provide annual sexual harassment training for their employees. This includes all full-time, part-time, and temporary employees. While training is not required for independent contractors, it is recommended if these workers will be working on-site at an employer's business or interacting with other employees or customers. Out-of-state employees must receive training if they will be working in Illinois at any time or if they will be interacting with employees based in Illinois.

What Type of Training Is Required? 

Sexual harassment training must meet certain standards set forth by the Illinois Department of Human Rights. The minimum standards for training programs include: 

• Training must cover the definition of sexual harassment under Illinois law and provide examples of prohibited behavior

• Training must summarize federal and state laws regarding sexual harassment, including the steps people can take to address sexual harassment and the options available to victims

• Training must detail the responsibilities that apply to an employer regarding sexual harassment prevention, investigations of complaints, and corrective actions

Additional requirements apply to restaurants and bars, and training must include examples of specific conduct related to workers in this industry and explanations of the responsibilities that apply to managers. Options must be provided for training in either English or Spanish.

Employers can choose to develop their own sexual harassment training program, or they can use one that has already been developed by another party, such as an outside consultant or an online provider. To ensure that employees fully understand their rights and how they can address workplace sexual harassment, an employer can provide trainees with the opportunity to ask questions or direct them to where they can find additional information. 

Contact Our Illinois Employment Law Attorney

Sexual harassment in the workplace is a serious issue, and employers in Illinois have a responsibility to ensure that their employees are properly trained on what constitutes sexual harassment and how to prevent it. By following the guidelines set forth by the state, employers can ensure that they are providing their employees with the information they need to create a safe and respectful work environment for everyone. If you have questions about your requirements for training and record-keeping, or if you need to address any other legal issues related to your employees, contact the Schaumburg employment lawyer today with The Miller Law Firm, P.C. at 847-995-1205 to arrange a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www2.illinois.gov/dhr/Training/Pages/Minimum-Training-Standards-for-All-Employers.aspx

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/101/101-0221.htm