NYS Penalties for Not Providing Harassment Prevention Training
Employers in New York State can face penalties for not providing annual sexual harassment training to their employees, including:
- Fines: Fines for failing to provide sexual harassment training start at $100 per employee for the first violation, and increase with each additional violation.
- Jail time: Depending on the severity of the violation, perpetrators may face jail time.
- Civil penalties: In New York City, employers can face civil penalties of up to $250,000 for willful violations of the sexual harassment training law.
- Emotional distress damages: The Commission can assess emotional distress damages and other remedies to the victim.
- Training requirement: The Commission can require the violator to undergo training.
- Community service: The Commission can mandate other remedies such as community service.
- Legal liabilities: Employers can face legal liabilities for failing to comply with sexual harassment training requirements.
Employers can avoid these penalties by:
- Familiarizing themselves with the most updated legislature and educational requirements
- Providing effective, up-to-date sexual harassment prevention training to all of their employees
- Using the model training developed by the Department of Labor and Division of Human Rights
The model training includes:
- An explanation of sexual harassment
- Examples of conduct that would constitute unlawful sexual harassment
- Information concerning federal and state statutory provisions
- Information concerning employees’ rights of redress
- Information addressing conduct by supervisors
Employers – contact us for training programs and risk reduction services!
