Workplace Appraisal and Critical Training
If you are an employer in Illinois, you are now required to provide sexual harassment training to all employees each year starting in 2020. Employers who do not comply with this new legal requirement will face monetary penalties and exposure to liability. All employees must be trained, including short-term employees, part-time employees, and interns.
We provide training in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Human Rights mandatory training modules to help ensure that your company is in compliance with legal requirements and to help promote a healthy workforce.
The frequently asked questions and answers below contain essential information that all Illinois employers must know:
On August 9, 2019, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law the Workplace Transparency Act, amending the Illinois Human Rights Act with more strict sexual harassment training requirements for Illinois employers. Specifically, the Workplace Transparency Act requires that ALL employers in Illinois provide specific sexual harassment training to all employees, each year, starting in 2020.
What are the “specifics” of this required training?
The Workplace Transparency Act provides strict requirements for what must be covered in training. Training should be conducted by those who are aware and understand these requirements to ensure that companies meet their obligations under the new law.
Is a Company with only one employee required to do this training?
Yes! Illinois employers with 1 or more employees working in the state must provide all employees with sexual harassment training to satisfy the amended IHRA training requirements.
Does a Company have to train interns, short-term employees or part- time employees?
Yes! Training that satisfies the IHRA requirements must be provided to interns and part-time employees.
How does a Company handle new hires?
Shire Law Group, PC®’s on boarding training is available throughout the year enabling companies to satisfy IHRA training requirements for new hires to be trained as soon as possible.
What is the consequence for Illinois companies which do not adhere to these mandatory training requirements?
If a company does not comply with training requirements, they will be in violation of the IHRA and will be subject to civil penalties, including a $500 penalty to businesses with less than 4 employees, or a $1,000 penalty to those with 4 or more employees. Penalties for subsequent violations may result in $5,000 per violation.
Employees can anonymously report employers for non-compliance via phone or online which can trigger an investigation into whether the company has met compliant training requirements.
What is the deadline for training?
Employers must train all employees, including short-term and part-time employees and interns by December 31, 2020, and thereafter on an annual basis.
How does Shire Law Group’s Training work?
Caren E. I. Naidoff, JD and Alan R. Press, JD CPA, attorneys who are experienced with training and the state mandated training requirements, will provide workforce training through a customized presentation utilizing a virtual platform. This training meets the requirements of The Workplace Transparency Act signed by the Governor of Illinois on August 9, 2019. All attendees will verify though certification that they have received mandatory training to fulfill the requirement that employers keep records of training and to demonstrate company compliance with Illinois law.
What are the costs for Shire Law Group, PC®’s compliant training?
We look forward to speaking with you regarding pricing for training which meets legal requirements and reflects your Company’s unique business.
How do you set up your training?
In order to get started with this mandatory training, call us at 847-955-9000 or email caren@shirelawgroup.com
Caren Naidoff providing training to one of our clients on Zero Tolerance Sexual Harassment and Discrimination.
Alan Press fielding questions on “What is Sexual Harassment?”
We also offer a comprehensive Corporate Wellness™ Program which incorporates mandatory training and additional tools to promote a healthy workplace.
This Program is your Key to help foster motivated and dedicated employees who feel valued so you can stay focused on managing your business to further achieve its overall success.
Through customized training and an in-depth evaluation of your employment-related policies, we help you create a “healthy workforce”.
Be Proactive, not reactive. Increased awareness of harassment and discrimination in the workplace can lead to claims which have a potentially devastating effect with high legal expenses, negative impact on employee morale, upset to Company reputation, and disruption to your bottom line.
We offer:
Separate training for employees and for managers including: Zero Tolerance Sexual Harassment and Discrimination in the Workplace; Conducting Effective and Non-Discriminatory Performance Reviews; Carrying Out Effective and Non-Discriminatory Discipline and Handling Complaints Effectively and in a Non-Discriminatory Manner; Proper and Appropriate Record Retention.
Evaluations of all employment-related policies to help ensure compliance with federal, state and local laws, reflection of your unique business and goals, and the importance of valuing your employees to encourage their commitment to your company.
A customized, thoughtful, collaborative approach to EVERY PART of your designed Corporate Wellness Program™.
Invest through our cutting-edge Program in one of your most valuable assets– your employees.
Contact us to set up an initial consultation
In order to get started with this innovative program, call us at 847-955-9000 or email caren@shirelawgroup.com