State of California
Assembly Bill 1825
Mandatory Training on Sexual Harassment for supervisors is required, by Assembly Bill 1825, once every two years for employers with over 50 employees, after January 1, 2006.
Sources: AB 1825 as passed by the Assembly, May 25, 2004, and Senate: August 18, 2004; AB 1825 Filed with Secretary of State September 30, 2004.
In 2002-2003, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) reported 4,231 Sexual Harassment cases filed, which represents 22% of all cases filed. Harassment costs an average Fortune 500 company $6.7 million in indirect costs per year. The specific provisions of Assembly Bill 1825 are as follows:
1. All employers with 50 or more employees are required to provide mandatory training and education on sexual harassment to supervisors once every two years after January 1, 2006, except if the employer provided sexual harassment training and education to employees after January 1, 2003. Specifically, two hours of classroom or an effective interactive training to supervisory employees employed as of July 1, 2005. Any employer who has provided this training and education to a supervisory employee after January 1, 2003, is not required to provide training and education by the January 1, 2006, deadline.
2. Provided that a claim that the training and education did not reach a particular individual does not automatically result in the liability of an employer for sexual harassment.
3. Provided that an employer’s compliance with the training requirement does not insulate the employer from liability for sexual harassment of any current or former employee or applicant.
4. Required the state to incorporate the required training into the 80 hours of training provided to all supervisory employees pursuant to existing law.
5. Specified that this bill establishes a minimum threshold for training and education and that employers may provide training and education beyond that required by the statute to prevent and correct sexual harassment and discrimination.
The type of training and education regarding sexual harassment shall include
- • Information and practical guidance regarding federal and state statutory provisions concerning the prohibition against and the prevention and correction of sexual harassment.
- • Remedies available to victims of sexual harassment in employment.
- • Practical examples aimed at instructing supervisors in the prevention of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.
- • Presentation by trainers or educators with knowledge and expertise in the prevention of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.