SB 1343, most businesses in California will now be required to conduct company-wide sexual harassment trainings, and many will need to do so in multiple languages. Are you prepared?
For decades, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act has set the state’s policies against sexual harassment and discrimination – being expanded periodically to address new concerns. In 2005, the statute added sexual harassment training requirements for supervisors in companies with 50+ employees. Now the law has evolved once again, and it will impact nearly all businesses in the state.
What HR Managers Need to Know About SB 1343
Among the changes being implemented with SB 1343, small and medium-sized businesses are now also responsible for conducting sexual harassment training and education – and those trainings are required company-wide (instead of solely for those in a management role).
The new expansion of the law requires employers with 5 or more employees to provide:
At least 2 hours of sexual harassment training to all supervisory employees, and
At least 1 hour of sexual harassment training to all nonsupervisory employees.
The goal is to offer practical information and guidance for preventing and correcting issues related to sexual harassment, including harassment based on gender, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.
SB 1343 took effect on January 1, 2019, and businesses have until the end of the year to complete the required trainings. Beginning on January 1, 2020, all temporary employees and migrant/seasonal agricultural workers will also be included in these requirements.
How to Overcome Language Barriers for More Effective Training Programs
As an HR Professional, we know that you work hard to provide clear and accurate information to the organization’s entire workforce – but that can be challenging if you have a diverse and multilingual staff. Professional interpreters and translators are an invaluable resource for organizations with Limited English Proficient (LEP) employees because they ensure all team members can understand and engage with important (and often legally mandated) content, such as sexual harassment training.
Traditionally, interpreters work on-site with interpreting equipment to provide simultaneous translation during a live training event. Now, with advances in web conferencing technologies, you also have the option to engage remote interpreters for online trainings and seminars – giving you the power to connect all your locations while maximizing your company’s resources.
How to Find the Industry’s Leading HR Interpreters
For more than 20 years, Continental Interpreting Services has provided language solutions that bridge communication gaps and transcend cultural barriers. With a worldwide network of certified and qualified interpreters and translators, CIS brings you the highest quality interpreting and translation services—quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively.
Call us at (800) 201-7121 or request a quote.