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New YorkHarassment Training Requirements

In 2018, New York (NY) Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed two mandatory sexual harassment training requirements for most businesses statewide. This sweeping act of employment legislation requires employers to meet New York State (NYS) harassment training requirements by providing sexual harassment training to every employee every year. The New York State training law applies to all employers in the state, and the New York City law applies to employers that employ more than 15 workers, including interns.

The check marks in the table below indicate which training topics are required by state law.

  • Path 2 Topic Required by Law
  • Group 4 Copy 3 Topic Not Required by Law
Topics
Regulations
Legislation
Section 201-g
NYC Local Law 96
Who needs to be trained?
Managers and employees
Time requirements
None
Frequency
Annually
Interactivity / Ability to ask questions and get trainer's answers Where the employee learner can ask questions about the concepts in a safe, anonymous way and get answers and guidance from subject matter experts.
Path 2
Definition of protected characteristics A description of the personal characteristics that are protected by law in each state.
Path 2
Types of sexual harassment (quid pro quo and hostile work environment) A description of the actions or situations that would create either quid pro quo harassment (this for that) or hostile work environment harassment.
Path 2
Parties to harassment A lesson about different people who can be involved in harassment, such as co-workers, clients, interns, a person of any gender.
Group 4 Copy 3
Remedies available A lesson about what a person can recover in a lawsuit for harassment, such as money for economic harm, emotional harm, etc.
Path 2
Strategies to prevent harassment A description about the different personal and organizational behaviors to promote respect and minimize harassment.
Path 2
Practical examples from case law, news, and media Real stories to illustrate the concepts.
Path 2
Limited confidentiality of the complaint process A lesson about the logistics of filing a harassment complaint and how there is no legal right to confidentiality.
Path 2
Resources for victims and complainants A description of the employer's resources that are designed to help people complaining of harassment.
Path 2
Duty to investigate A lesson on the legal duty of the employer to investigate all claims of harassment and the minimum requirements of the investigation.
Path 2
What to do if supervisor is personally accused A lesson on how a supervisor or manager should respond if accused by a subordinate employee of harassment.
Path 2
Personal liability of harasser / Criminal liability Information about if and when an employee can be sued personally for harassment (as opposed to just named in the lawsuit) and if an accused faces criminal liability.
Group 4 Copy 3
Supervisor's obligation to report harassment A lesson for supervisors to teach them to promptly report any claims of harassment, even if it doesn't appear like a formal complaint.
Path 2
Elements of the employer's harassment policy A lesson outlining and covering all the components of the employer's harassment policy and complaint procedure.
Path 2
Review of the elements of abusive conduct Information about when conduct is considered abusive and, whether abusive conduct is illegal in that region. For example, abusive conduct is not illegal in any state in the United States but it is illegal in different provinces in Canada.
Group 4 Copy 3
Bystander intervention A lesson on how people who witness harassing or disrespectful conduct can and should intervene to protect the employee and stop the conduct.
Path 2
Retaliation A lesson on when actions meet the criteria of retaliation and an explanation that retaliation is illegal.
Path 2

Protected Characteristics in New York

  • Height
  • Weight
  • Race
  • Color
  • National Origin
  • Religion
  • Sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions)
  • Disability (physical or mental)
  • Age (18 and older)
  • Genetic Characteristics
  • Marital Status
  • Familial Status (being pregnant, caring for a child under 18, or seeking to adopt a child under 18)
  • Sexual Orientation (includes perceived sexual orientation)
  • Gender Identity
  • Lawful Use of Any Product or Lawful Recreational Activities When Not at Work
  • Military Status or Service
  • Observance of Sabbath
  • Political Activities
  • Use of Service Dog
  • Prior Arrests or Criminal Accusation
  • Prior Convictions (unless certain requirements have been met)
  • Domestic Violence Victim Status

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NY Harassment Training Requirements Sheet
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is sexual harassment training in New York? +

Sexual harassment training in New York is mandatory workplace training designed to educate employees and supervisors on sexual harassment laws, prevention strategies, reporting procedures, and employer responsibilities. This training helps businesses comply with New York State sexual harassment prevention laws and ensure a safe, inclusive workplace.

Who is required to take sexual harassment prevention training in New York? +

All employers in New York, regardless of size, must provide annual sexual harassment prevention training to all employees, including part-time, seasonal, and temporary workers. This applies to businesses operating in both New York State and New York City.

What does New York’s sexual harassment training include? +

New York’s harassment prevention training must cover:

  • Definitions and examples of sexual harassment in the workplace
  • Information on retaliation protections
  • How to report sexual harassment
  • Investigation procedures employers must follow
  • Bystander intervention strategies
  • State and federal harassment laws
When must new employees complete their harassment prevention training? +

While New York State law does not specify a deadline for new hires, best practices recommend providing workplace harassment training as soon as possible. Many employers integrate training into onboarding to ensure compliance from day one.

How often must employees complete sexual harassment training in New York? +

Employees must complete annual sexual harassment prevention training to remain compliant with New York’s harassment policies. Employers should track completion and provide updated training materials each year.

Is sexual harassment training in New York available online? +

Yes! Employers can use online harassment training programs that meet the state’s requirements. Virtual compliance training allows businesses to efficiently train remote, hybrid, and on-site employees while ensuring full compliance.

What are the penalties for non-compliance with New York’s harassment training requirements? +

Failure to comply with New York State’s harassment training laws can result in legal action, fines, and employer liability in harassment claims. Additionally, non-compliance can damage workplace culture, employee trust, and brand reputation.

How does New York City’s sexual harassment training law differ from the state law? +

In addition to state requirements, New York City’s Stop Sexual Harassment Act applies to employers with 15 or more employees and includes additional provisions like:

  • A written sexual harassment policy distributed to all employees
  • Record-keeping requirements for training completion
  • Specific training content on rights and responsibilities under NYC laws
How can employers ensure their harassment training is compliant? +

Employers should use a state-approved sexual harassment training program that aligns with New York State’s model training guidelines. Partnering with a compliance training provider like Emtrain ensures your program is legally compliant, engaging, and effective.

Where can I find sexual harassment training for New York employees? +

Emtrain offers New York-compliant sexual harassment training that meets both New York Sate’s and New York City’s  regulations. Our interactive courses provide real-world scenarios, legal guidance, and workplace best practices to create a culture of respect and compliance.

Get started today! Learn more about Emtrain’s training solutions.

Need help designing a compliance training program tailored to your specific needs?
Contact us for a free consultation and a demo of Emtrain's training platform.

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