Latest News
- Bay Area Employers: Shelter in Place Order Extended
(posted: Apr, 2020)SIP extended through May 31st. The SF Bay Area will continue to shelter in place through the end of May, even as other parts of the U.S. begin to reopen.
Latest Blog
- Bay Area Counties Issue New Order, SIP thru May
(posted: Apr, 2020)
The 6 counties are extending SIP through the end of May, but are also easing restrictions in a few key areas like construction.
Harassment Prevention Training: Who Is Considered a Supervisor?
(posted: August 3rd, 2015)
California employers with 50 or more employees are required by AB 1825 to provide sexual harassment prevention training to their supervisors and managers every two years.
But, as a recent client asked us, "Who actually qualifies as a 'supervisor'?"
Because the definition of supervisor is extremely broad for the purposes of mandatory training, we recommend that you err on the side of over-training - cast a wide net when deciding which employees to train.
In this context, "Supervisory authority" generally includes any individual who has the authority to...
- hire
- transfer
- suspend
- lay off
- recall
- promote
- discharge
- assign
- reward or discipline
...other employees, or the responsibility to direct them, adjust grievances or effectively recommend that action, provided the exercise of that authority requires the use of independent judgment.
On the other hand, the California Fair Employment and Housing Commission (FEHC) regulations covering the training indicate that attending the training does not create any inference that an employee is a "supervisor" or that an "independent contractor" is an employee or a "supervisor." So go ahead and be overly inclusive in determining who should attend the sexual harassment training.
While it is not required, consider training your supervisors who work in offices or locations outside California if they have any connection with employees who work in California. This can help prevent any potential sexual harassment litigation.
Sexual Harassment claims and the resulting investigations and/or lawsuits can devastate your company morale and the related costs - staff time to investigate, attorney's fees, settlement costs or jury awards - can make a big dent in your profits.
Ensure that you and your staff are fully in compliance with California's sexual harassment prevention statute; contact us to find out about our comprehensive, onsite training.
