Sexual Harassment Prevention: Employer Requirements

Connecticut law requires employers with three or more employees provide training and information to employees regarding sexual harassment prevention. 

Companies with fewer than three employees are not required to train all workers, but must provide training for supervisors. 

The Time’s Up Act, effective Oct. 1, 2019, requires employers with at least three employees provide information to their employees in three ways:

1. Post in a prominent and accessible location information concerning the illegality of sexual harassment and the remedies available to victims.
2. Provide, not later than three months after the employee’s start date, a copy of such information via email or by posting the information on the company’s website.
3. Provide two hours of training and education concerning the federal and state statutory provisions concerning sexual harassment and the remedies available to victims of sexual harassment. 

An employer who has provided this training after Oct. 1, 2018 is not required to provide the training a second time, though periodic supplemental training is required for all employees at least every ten years. 

Employees hired on or after Oct. 1, 2019 must receive training within six months of their hire date.  

For new employees who received training with a previous employer, the employee’s training certificate is transferable to the new employer only if the training (1) was provided by the CHRO (whether on-line or in-person); and (2) occurred within two years of the new hire date. 

The Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities enforces this law and provides materials to help employers comply with state sexual harassment training requirements. The CHRO has developed free online training that fulfills the training requirements.

Note that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, employers received an extension of time until May 20, 2021 to train any employee hired between Oct. 1, 2019 and Nov. 1, 2020.