Jingle or no jingle, New York employers need to inform employees about the number. Back in March, Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law Senate Bill S812B which creates a confidential hotline for workers with sexual harassment complaints. Through the hotline, workers are connected to a pro-bono attorney who provides counsel and assistance. The law went into effect 120 days after the Governor’s signature, which brings us to the July 19th launch of the hotline.
All New York employers are now required to include information about the hotline “in materials employers must post or provide to employees regarding sexual harassment.” Need a refresher on what materials employers must provide?
At the time of hiring and during yearly sexual harassment trainings, New York employers must provide:
- Sexual Harassment Policy
- Harassment Training Information (printed materials, scripts, Q&As, outlines, handouts, PowerPoint slides)
These materials must be provided in English and in an employee’s primary language, if that language is Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Polish, Russian, Haitian-Creole, Bengali or Italian.
Employers in New York City have additional materials that they must provide.
StraightforWARD Legal Advice:
Further hotline guidance is expected from the New York State Department of Labor. In the meantime, employers still need to update sexual harassment materials. When crafting hotline notices, employers should go beyond providing only the number: 1-800-HARASS-3 (1-800-427-2773). Notices should include a description of the hotline, as well as an explanation of how and when to use it.
Additionally, New York employers are encouraged to:
- Provide current employees with the hotline notice
- Post general sexual harassment materials in a prominent place
- Provide independent contractors, vendors and consultants with a copy of materials
- Obtain employee signatures confirming receipt of materials
For help with updating sexual harassment materials (jingle not included), New York employers should contact Jennifer Ward at 215-647-6601 or jward@thewardlaw.com.