Lead Buzz 04/05
Sexual harassment training, biometric employee tracking and more
A new California law requires companies with 50 or more
employees to give supervisors two hours of sexual harassment
training every two years. Newly hired managers must receive the
training within the first six months.
California isn't alone: Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts
also require some sexual harassment training. But what California
does is often a litmus test for other states, making this law one
to watch.
California's training includes practical examples of
harassment, discrimination and retaliation prevention, and is
interactive. Having participants answer an online questionnaire has
"enough interactivity to comply," says Mary Topliff, a
San Francisco employment law attorney. But "somebody sitting
in front of a TV watching a video is not interactive."
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Companies that don't comply could be court-ordered to
provide training. The biggest risk, however, will be failing to
train and then getting sued for sexual harassment. Employers need
to keep good records of training sessions. Make sure you understand
your state's requirements, too.
Not bad advice, considering the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission resolved more than 14,500 sexual harassment charges in
fiscal 2003 and recovered more than $50 million in monetary
benefits for complainants, not including litigation fees.
84% of
job-seekers would prefer a salary increase rather than a bump in
title.
Statistic Source:
American Payroll Association | | 52% of
workers aren't opposed to using biometric technology to record
their time and attendance.
Statistic Source:
TheLadders.com |