Washington State’s harassment prevention training law reflects a thoughtful approach to workplace safety, with size-based requirements and biennial training cycles that balance thoroughness with practicality. Passed in 2021 and effective January 1, 2022, the law requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide comprehensive training while encouraging voluntary compliance from smaller businesses.
Our Washington State Harassment Training Requirements Checklist delivers complete guidance:
Size-Based Coverage: Understand the 15-employee threshold, how to count employees accurately, and why smaller employers should consider voluntary compliance for liability protection and cultural benefits.
Biennial Training Cycles: Learn Washington’s every-two-years requirement, how it differs from annual training states, and best practices for new hire training timelines.
Interactive Requirements: Discover what makes training interactive under Washington law and how to ensure your program meets engagement standards.
Industry-Specific Guidance: Special considerations for agriculture (language access, seasonal workers, H-2A visa holders), technology sector (remote work harassment), hospitality (third-party harassment), and healthcare (patient-to-staff dynamics).
Free State Resources: Access the Washington State Human Rights Commission’s model training programs, guidance documents, and sample policies.
Bystander Intervention: Required training on how employees can safely intervene when witnessing harassment—including the 5 Ds framework.
Documentation Standards: While Washington doesn’t specify retention periods, learn best practices for maintaining records that align with statute of limitations and EEOC requirements.
Whether you’re legally required to train or voluntarily implementing a prevention program, this checklist provides the roadmap to compliance and culture-building.
