New Law Establishes Hotline for Sexual Harassment Complaints
Employer Impact
The new law amends the state’s existing Human Rights Law—which applies to all employers in the state, including household employers—to strengthen its current protections against workplace sexual harassment. Under the amendment, the Division must work with the New York State Department of Labor (NYDOL) to update “any materials employers must post or provide to employees regarding sexual harassment” so they include information about the new hotline.
Expected Updates
The current law requires employers to provide employees with a written workplace sexual harassment policy and annual training on workplace sexual harassment prevention. In addition, the Division provides a model workplace poster on sexual harassment prevention as an optional tool for directing employees and others to an employer’s sexual harassment prevention policy. Thus, employers may expect these and other materials to need updates starting July 14, 2022. All employers in the state should watch for more information from the Division and NYDOL.
Additional Hotline Details
The amendment requires the new hotline to operate during regular business hours. It also requires the Division to recruit attorneys with experience in providing counsel related to sexual harassment matters to provide free legal advice to hotline callers.
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When you hire a nanny through our agency, we’ll help make sure you understand your obligations as a household employer though our payroll partner GTM Payroll Services. They can provide the state-required sexual harassment prevention training and ensure you are following regulations for legally employing a nanny or other domestic worker.
Contact us at (518) 348-0400 and let us know how we can help with child care, senior care, housekeeping, and more!