Changes to New York State’s Sexual Harassment Laws: What Employers Need to Know

New York employers are subject to several new laws enacted this year aimed at combating sexual harassment in the workplace. In New York, sexual harassment includes harassment not only on the basis of sex, but also on the basis of sexual orientation, self-identified or perceived sex, gender expression, gender identity and the status of being transgender.

Two key components of the new legislation became effective on October 9, 2018 and apply to employers of any size in New York:

  • Required written sexual harassment prevention policy. The policy must include specific information, such as examples of prohibited conduct; information concerning the federal and state statutory provisions concerning sexual harassment; remedies available to victims of sexual harassment; and a statement that there may be applicable local laws. A model policy is now available or employers may revise their current policy so long as it meets or exceeds the minimum standards of the model policy. The policy must include a complaint form or specify where a complaint form may be obtained (but the policy must also provide that employees can make verbal complaints). Current employees, new employees (prior to commencing work), applicants for employment, temporary employees and paid and unpaid interns all must receive a copy of the policy, and employers are encouraged to obtain an acknowledgement from each recipient. Employers are also encouraged, but not required, to post this sexual harassment prevention poster where employees can easily access it.
  • Provision of annual sexual harassment training to current employees and interns, to be completed prior to October 9, 2019. The training must be interactive and must cover specified topics, including the types of conduct that would constitute unlawful sexual harassment; information concerning federal and state statutory provisions concerning sexual harassment; and remedies available to victims of sexual harassment. Model training materials are now available.

These requirements are codified at N.Y. Labor Law §201-g.

Other laws aimed at the prevention of sexual harassment in the workplace became effective earlier this year. These include provisions:

  • Making employers liable for sexual harassment of certain non-employees in the workplace, including contractors, subcontractors, vendors, consultants and other persons providing services pursuant to a contract, if the employer knew or should have known that the non-employee was subjected to sexual harassment and failed to take immediate and appropriate corrective action (N.Y. Exec. Law §296-d, effective April 12, 2018);
  • Prohibiting employers from using a mandatory arbitration provision in an employment contract in relation to sexual harassment (N.Y. CPLR §7515, effective July 11, 2018);
  • Ensuring that nondisclosure agreements can only be used when the condition of confidentiality is the preference of the victim (N.Y. CPLR §5003-b, effective July 11, 2018); and
  • Requiring officers and employees of the state or of any public entity to reimburse the state for any state or public payment made upon a judgment of intentional wrongdoing related to sexual harassment (N.Y. Pub. Off. Law §18-a, effective April 12, 2018).

Where Can Employers Obtain More Information?

New York recently released new guidance to help employers learn more about the minimum standards for sexual harassment prevention policies and trainings. Video training, materials in other languages, workshops and webinars are expected to be released in the future. If you have any questions, please contact one of our employment law attorneys.

This blog/web site presents general information only. The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice, and you should not consider or rely on it as such. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation. This website is not an offer to represent you. You should not act, or refrain from acting, based upon any information at this website. Neither our presentation of such information nor your receipt of it creates nor will create an attorney-client relationship with any reader of this blog. Any links from another site to the blog are beyond the control of Pullman & Comley, LLC and do not convey their approval, support or any relationship to any site or organization. Any description of a result obtained for a client in the past is not intended to be, and is not, a guarantee or promise the firm can or will achieve a similar outcome.

PDF
Subscribe to Updates

About Our Labor, Employment and Employee Benefits Law Blog

Alerts, commentary, and insights from the attorneys of Pullman & Comley’s Labor, Employment Law and Employee Benefits practice on such workplace topics as labor and employment law, counseling and training, litigation, union issues, as well as employee benefits and ERISA matters.

Other Blogs by Pullman & Comley

Connecticut Health Law Blog

Education Law Notes

For What It May Be Worth

Recent Posts

Archives

Jump to Page