The Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) has finally issued its long-awaited model sexual harassment prevention training program. As we covered here, the Workplace Transparency Act (WTA), which was passed in 2019, requires Illinois employers to provide yearly sexual harassment training to all employees. The IDHR’s model program, which is free to download on the IDHR’s website and also available here, meets the minimum standards set by the WTA.
Employers can deliver the model program themselves or use a third-party to conduct the training. The current COVID-19 pandemic does not absolve employers of the obligation to conduct their inaugural training by December 31, 2020. The training can be provided remotely, but employees must be paid for their training time. Also, employers must provide the training in a manner that is accessible to its staff, so accommodations must be made for employees with disabilities or who do not speak English.
The IDHR is expected to release a supplemental model program that will meet the heightened minimum standards for bars and restaurants in the near future.
