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California Sexual Harassment Training Requirements: What Employers Need to Know

California Sexual Harassment Training Requirements: What Employers Need to Know

California has long been at the forefront of workplace protections, and its sexual harassment prevention training laws are among the most comprehensive in the country. Under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and subsequent legislation such as SB 1343, nearly all employers must provide regular, interactive training to employees.

If you operate in California, here’s what you need to know to stay compliant.

Who Must Provide Training?

  • Employers with 5 or more employees (including part-time and temporary workers) must provide sexual harassment prevention training.
  • Training must be provided to all employees, regardless of job title or seniority.

Training Frequency and Deadlines

  • Supervisors and managers: At least two hours of sexual harassment prevention training every two years.
  • Non-supervisory employees: At least one hour of training every two years.
  • New hires and newly promoted supervisors: Must be trained within six months of hire or promotion.

Training Content Requirements

The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), now part of the Civil Rights Department (CRD), requires training to be interactive and include:

  • The definition of sexual harassment under federal and California law.
  • Examples of conduct that constitutes unlawful harassment.
  • Information about federal and state laws prohibiting harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.
  • Remedies available to victims.
  • Supervisors’ responsibilities in handling complaints and preventing harassment.
  • Strategies for preventing harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.
  • Information on abusive conduct (workplace bullying) and harassment based on gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.

Interactivity Requirement

California law mandates that training be interactive. This means:

  • Employees must have opportunities to ask questions and receive timely answers.
  • Acceptable formats include classroom training, live webinars, or interactive e-learning modules.
  • Simply showing a video without engagement is not compliant.

Recordkeeping Requirements

Employers are required to maintain training records for at least two years, including:

  • Names of employees trained.
  • Dates of training.
  • Sign-in sheets or electronic acknowledgments.
  • Copies of training materials used.
  • Name of the training provider.

Posting and Policy Requirements

In addition to training, California employers must:

  • Distribute a written anti-harassment policy to all employees.
  • Display the DFEH/CRD sexual harassment poster in a prominent location in the workplace.
  • Provide employees with the DFEH’s sexual harassment information sheet (or equivalent policy statement).

Enforcement and Penalties

  • The Civil Rights Department (CRD) can investigate claims of non-compliance.
  • Failure to provide training or maintain records increases employer liability in harassment lawsuits.
  • Employees who prevail in claims may be awarded compensatory damages, back pay, and attorney’s fees.

Key Takeaway for Employers

California’s sexual harassment training requirements are broad and detailed, applying to even small businesses. To comply, employers must provide interactive training every two years, maintain clear records, and adopt strong anti-harassment policies. Beyond compliance, consistent training helps create a safer, more respectful workplace culture.

👉 American Sensitivity Training provides California-compliant sexual harassment prevention programs that meet both supervisory and non-supervisory requirements. Our interactive training is designed to engage employees and protect your organization from risk.

Why Our Training Is Worth the Investment

Some providers offer a basic compliance course for $29.99, but that type of training often does the bare minimum—covering the law without changing behavior. Our $99 platform delivers so much more than “checking the box.”

Our Sensitivity & Sexual Harassment Training Platform doesn’t just explain what harassment is. It creates a foundation for better workplace culture. Through fast-paced, interconnected, and game-changing content, employees not only learn how to prevent harassment but also how to:

  • Build emotional intelligence to improve communication and empathy.
  • Set and respect healthy workplace boundaries.
  • Practice bystander intervention to speak up and support colleagues.

The Value Behind the Difference

  • Comprehensive Scope: We go beyond compliance to address the real factors that drive respect, trust, and collaboration in today’s workplace.
  • Engaging & Interactive: Our content is designed for impact-employees retain more, apply it daily, and shift behavior.
  • Risk Reduction & Trust Building: Better training means fewer risks, stronger employee relationships, and a safer workplace culture.