Every Illinois employer has a legal obligation to provide annual sexual harassment prevention training. But what exactly does that mean—and what happens if you miss the mark? If you’re asking, What are the Illinois sexual harassment training requirements?, you’re not alone. Since 2020, Illinois has taken a firm stance on workplace harassment prevention, requiring all employers—regardless of size or industry—to ensure their workforce is trained every year.
In this blog, we break down what the law requires, who it applies to, and how to stay compliant while building a more respectful workplace.
What Does Illinois Law Require?
Under the Illinois Workplace Transparency Act (Public Act 101-0221), all employers with employees working in Illinois are required to provide annual sexual harassment prevention training. This applies regardless of the organization’s size or industry.
The Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) provides a model training program, but employers may use their own training—as long as it meets or exceeds the minimum training standards outlined by the law.
Minimum Training Requirements
To be compliant, Illinois sexual harassment training must include:
- An explanation of sexual harassment consistent with the Illinois Human Rights Act
- Examples of unlawful conduct in the workplace
- A summary of relevant federal and state laws and remedies available to victims
- Information about how to report sexual harassment, both internally and externally
Special Rules for Restaurants and Bars
Employers in the hospitality industry must provide additional, industry-specific anti-harassment training. Restaurants and bars are required to:
- Provide supplemental training tailored to the specific challenges of the industry
- Offer training in both English and Spanish, if necessary
- Establish a written sexual harassment prevention policy, made available to all employees
Who Needs to Take the Training?
All employees who work in Illinois—whether part-time, full-time, remote, or temporary—must receive this annual training. Supervisors and managers should receive enhanced training that includes their responsibilities in preventing and addressing workplace harassment.
If your company has a remote or hybrid workforce with team members in Illinois, it’s critical to ensure your training program reaches those employees as well.
What Happens if You Don’t Comply?
Failure to provide annual sexual harassment training in Illinois can result in:
- Investigations by the IDHR
- Fines and penalties for noncompliance
- Damage to your employer brand and employee trust
Beyond the legal consequences, skipping required training increases the risk of harassment incidents—and decreases your ability to effectively respond to them.
How Can Emtrain Help?
At Emtrain, we go beyond check-the-box training. Our sexual harassment prevention training is:
- Compliant with Illinois sexual harassment training laws
- Interactive and engaging for employees at all levels
- Available in multiple languages and accessible formats
- Integrated with Emtrain’s risk analytics to help you measure organizational culture and areas of concern
We also offer customized solutions for the restaurant and hospitality industries to meet supplemental training requirements.
Final Thoughts
Meeting the Illinois sexual harassment training requirements isn’t just about checking a legal box. It’s about fostering a workplace where everyone feels safe, heard, and respected. Whether you’re a small business or a large organization with a nationwide workforce, it’s essential to stay informed and up to date with evolving compliance standards.
Emtrain is here to support your team every step of the way—with training compliance tools, expert-designed content, and real-time cultural insights.
