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New York Employers Now Required to Display Anti-Sexual Harassment Posters and Distribute Informational Sheets under Stop Sexual Harassment in NYC Act
On May 9, 2018, arguably as one of New York City’s responses to the overwhelming #MeToo Movement, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed into law the Stop Sexual Harassment in NYC Act (the “Act”). In order to prevent any sexual harassment or unwanted sexual advances in the workplace, the Act sets out several important provisions and new obligations that employers have to follow.
One of the new anti-sexual harassment provisions, in effect since September 6, 2018, requires employers to display anti-sexual harassment rights and responsibilities posters and to distribute information sheets on sexual harassment to the employees. On August 9, 2018, the New York City Commission on Human Rights (“the Commission”) issued the mandatory notice poster and information sheet required to be used by the employers in the workplace, and they can accessed at the links below:
Mandatory Anti-Sexual Harassment Poster: https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/cchr/downloads/pdf/materials/SexHarass_Notice-8.5×14.pdf
Informational Sheet:
https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/cchr/downloads/pdf/materials/SexHarass_Factsheet.pdf
Other provisions of the Act require employers, with 15 or more employees, including interns, to conduct annual anti-sexual harassment training for all employees. This anti-sexual harassment training requirement goes into effect on April 1, 2019. The training is required to include interactive components and must define and educate the employees on what constitutes sexual harassment and give examples of the same. Additionally, the training must provide complaint procedures, explaining to the employees how to report sexual harassment incidents, both internally and externally, in accordance with all federal, state and city laws. In the months leading up to the April 1, 2019 deadline, the Commission is expected to release publicly available online modules that employers can use for their anti-sexual harassment trainings.
The laws in the area of sexual harassment are quickly evolving. The duty is put on the employer to comply with the new provisions and requirements. Experienced sexual harassment attorneys at Lipsky Lowe can help employers navigate the new requirements and make sure that the company’s policies are in compliance. It is specifically important for employers in New York City to consult a sexual harassment attorney because such employers are not only subject to the new laws passed by the State of New York, but must also comply with the New York City laws as well.
If you have any questions about the Stop Sexual Harassment in NYC Act and its provisions going into effect or you believe you have been experiencing sexual harassment and unwanted sexual advances at work, please contact experienced anti-sexual harassment lawyers at Lipsky Lowe to get a free and confidential consultation.