Prior to June 18, 2019, certain employers with more than fifty employees in the State of Connecticut were required to provide sexual harassment training to limited employees and/or supervisors. However, as of the enactment of the Time’s Up Act on June 18, 2019, those requirements have been drastically expanded to include a majority of employers operating within the State.
Presently, employers with three (3) or more employees located in the State must provide sexual harassment training to all employees working within the State. This requirement includes employers even if their principle place of business is located in another state and requires the employer to provide training to the employees that are working within Connecticut.
For all existing employees, the employer must provide the two hours of training to all Connecticut employees by October 1, 2020, however an exemption has been created for employees who have received prior training on or after October 1, 2018. In such a case, the employee is not required to have retraining if the prior training meets the requirements/content of those outlined in the new Time’s Up Act.
For all new employees hired after October 1, 2019, the employer must provide the required sexual harassment training within six (6) months of the employee’s hiring date.
A very important question for all employers should be, “what must be included in the required training?” Under the Time’s Up Act, the sexual harassment training must include discussion and information regarding both Connecticut and Federal anti-discrimination laws. Connecticut’s anti-discrimination administrative agency, the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, has provided lectures which can be viewed online and fulfill the requirements for training under the Time’s Up Act. Any employer may have a covered employee view the two hours of training videos provided by the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities and obtain a certificate upon their completion.
While the purpose for the sexual harassment training is to promote equality in the workplace and prevent discrimination and retaliation, the requirements of training for the Time’s Up Act may seem daunting for many employers. If you are an employer seeking compliance with the Time’s Up Act training requirements or any other requirements contained in the Act, please call the experienced employment counsel at Harlow, Adams & Friedman, P.C. today at 203-878-0661 for a free consultation.