Sexual Harassment Training Requirements in Rhode Island
The State of Rhode Island does not require employers to provide sexual harassment training, but it is highly recommended. According to Rhode Island General Law ch. 118,§§ 28-51-2(c), 28-51-3, employers are encouraged to provide new employees and members with sexual harassment training within one year of being employed or being a member. Additional training is also encouraged to be provided for new supervisory and managerial employees within one year of assuming their positions, with information on their specific responsibilities and methods they can use to ensure immediate and appropriate corrective action in addressing sexual harassment complaints.
If an employer decides to conduct such training for all employees, it must include, at a minimum, information on the following:
A statement that sexual harassment in the workplace is unlawful
Unlawful retaliation
Description and examples of sexual harassment
Consequences for employees who have committed sexual harassment
A description of the process for filing internal complaints about sexual harassment and the work addresses and telephone numbers of the person or persons to whom complaints should be made
The identity of the appropriate state and federal employment discrimination enforcement agencies, and directions as to how to contact these agencies.
