Illinois Proposed Workplace Sexual Harassment Training Requirements 2019
The Facts
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Updated article on the new law and compliance requirements in Illinois, here>>>
On June 1 and 2, 2019 the Illinois House and Senate, respectively, approved Senate Bill 75, which would require all businesses in the state of Illinois to provide workplace sexual harassment training to their employees. The Bill has been submitted to Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzer for his signature.
Click here for a complete list of state anti-harassment training requirements.
The bill extends to the private sector many of the same requirements of a 2018 bill regarding harassment in the workplace that apply to the state Legislature. The new law would also require Illinois government employees, state officials and registered lobbyists to receive annual harassment prevention training.
Proposed Requirements
Employers in Illinois will be subject to the following requirements:
- Provide workplace harassment prevention training to all employees.
- Training must be provided annually.
- Employers will be prohibited from requiring workers to sign nondisclosure and arbitration agreements related to harassment or discrimination.
These protections would extend to contract workers and mandate that hotels and casinos equip certain employees with panic buttons. The panic button requirement is a part of the new Washington State anti-harassment training law as well.
Proposed Penalties
Under the new bill, failure to train employees could result in a $500 penalty to businesses with fewer than four workers, or a $1,000 penalty to those with four or more.
Next Steps
In addition to SB 75, Illinois has another bill related to workplace harassment winding its way through the legislature that will impact employer obligations, SB 1829. This bill, known as the “Workplace Transparency Act” carries with it a training requirement, limits on nondisclosure and arbitration agreements, and requires certain disclosures by employers on an annual basis.