New Workplace Sexual Harassment Training Required in Illinois
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation, effective January 1, 2020, requiring all Illinois employers to provide annual sexual harassment prevention training to their employees. This training must be completed by December 31, 2020, and annually thereafter. From the guidance provided by the Illinois Department of Human Rights (“IDHR”) thus far, it does not appear as though this deadline will be extended due to COVID-19.
This new legislation allows an employer to construct its own training program, provided that it meets or exceeds the minimum requirements of the statute. The legislation also mandates IDHR to create a model training program that encompasses all such requirements. This model training program is now available online to download via PowerPoint and PDF here.
This model program provides, among other things, a definition and review of what behaviors constitute sexual harassment, remedies available to victims, and a discussion of the responsibility employers have with respect to the prevention, investigation and correction of sexual harassment incidents in the workplace. Under the new legislation, a business’ failure to comply with these training requirements is subject to various civil fines and penalties