The State of Illinois requires that ALL Employers, with any employees, must provide sexual harassment prevention training once every year. The Department of Human Rights is required to provide a model program that Employers can use, but are not required to use that specific program.
In order to qualify as proper sexual harassment prevention training, the program must include the following:
1) an explanation of sexual harassment as provided by the Illinois Human Rights Act;
2) provide examples of conduct that would be considered unlawful sexual harassment;
3) a summary of Federal and State laws about sexual harassment and remedies available to victims of sexual harassment; and
4) a summary of responsibilities for Employers to prevent, investigate and take corrective measures about sexual harassment.
If the Employer does not provide the training, then the Department of Human Rights will give the Employer notice of the violation and 30 days to comply. If the Employer does not comply, then a civil penalty will be entered against the Employer.
For further information and assistance in drafting and implementing a sexual harassment prevention training program or an employee handbook, please contact Corey B. Stern at 630-824-4808, [email protected] or this Firm.
