Bullying Be Gone – New California Law Makes Anti-Bullying Training For Employers' Supervisors A Must

Since 2004, California employers with 50 or more employees have been required to provide their supervisors with sexual harassment training. Effective January 1, 2015, these employers will have an additional responsibility. Governor Jerry Brown signed A.B. 2053 into law on September 9, 2014, mandating that covered employers add anti-bullying training into their current sexual harassment training curriculum.1 While the new law codifies much of what employers may already be doing, it sets forth specific requirements they must follow starting January 1, 2015.

Current Training Requirements: What, Who, How Much and When

Current California law requires employers with 50 or more employees to provide two hours of sexual harassment training and education to all supervisory employees within the first six months of the employee's assumption of a supervisory role.2 Further, covered employers must provide ongoing sexual harassment prevention training every two years.3

Specifically, the training must include information and practical guidance regarding the federal and state statutory provisions concerning the prohibition, prevention, correction and remedying of sexual harassment in employment.4 It must also include practical examples aimed at instructing supervisors in the prevention of harassment, discrimination and retaliation.5 Further, it must be presented by trainers or educators with knowledge and expertise in the...