Illinois Employees Must Receive Sexual Harassment Training by 12/31/20
Alterity’s Virtual Trainings Get the Job Done
On August 9th, 2019, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the Workplace Transparency Act (SB 75, Public Act 101-0221) into law. This wide-ranging bipartisan legislation aims to curb workplace discrimination and harassment in the workplace by creating three new laws and amending others. Employer obligations covered by the bill include new reporting requirements, new restrictions on employee contracts, a prohibition on forced arbitration, and a requirement to provide annual sexual harassment training for all employees.
Illinois Sexual Harassment Training Compliance Requirements
Every employer with employees working in Illinois must comply with the Workplace Transparency Act. This requirement extends to employers and employees based outside the state who regularly interact with other employees in Illinois. Employees must receive training annually, completing their first training by December 31st, 2020.
Trainings must meet or exceed those in a model sexual harassment prevention program created by the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR). Employers can take advantage of third-party training as long as it covers the minimum training standards outlined in Section 2-109(B)
According to the IDHR, those standards include:
- An explanation of sexual harassment consistent with the IHRA (the Illinois Human Rights Act, which was amended by SB 75)
- Examples of conduct that constitutes unlawful sexual harassment;
- A summary of relevant federal and State statutory provisions concerning sexual harassment, including remedies available to victims of sexual harassment; and
- A summary of responsibilities of employers in the prevention, investigation, and corrective measures of sexual harassment.
Bars and restaurants are also required to provide supplemental sexual harassment prevention training program tailored specifically to their industries.*
Noncompliance with the new training requirements carries a penalty. Fines range from $500 to $5000, depending on the size of the business and history of offenses.
Alterity’s Virtual Sexual Harassment Training Exceeds Illinois Requirements
Alterity’s Respectful Workplace Program satisfies the Illinois Workplace Transparency Act training requirements, as well as those required by:
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
- The Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act
- The Equal Pay Act
- Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA)
- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Better yet, Alterity’s training is designed to promote real change, and to make reporting and compliance simple for employers. No dry PowerPoint filled with legalese (sorry, IDHR), our online trainings are led by experienced experts who provide real-life examples; the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers; and emotional intelligence and diversity training that helps to stop workplace harassment before it occurs.
HR managers benefit from our Respectful Workplace Program as well. They receive detailed analytics reports; assistance with reporting and other compliance requirements; and access to an online learning portal that simplifies compliance management.