NYS Sexual Harassment Prevention Program at 2018 Leadership Conference

In April of this year the Governor and State Legislature enacted a set of laws in order to adopt the state budget which included new laws on requirements for public and private employers to put Sexual Harassment Prevention Programs in place. These programs involve the adoption of a written policy and a training program for employees. For purposes of fire districts and volunteer fire departments and companies the term “employees” includes their volunteer firefighters. The new law required the Department of Labor with the assistance of the Division of Human Rights to develop a model sexual harassment policy and training guidelines.
 
The new law required employers to have a written policy that complies with the law in place by October 9, 2018. The Department of Labor did not adopt a model policy and place it on its website until October 1st . Materials on written policies and training programs as well as guidance for employers can be found at the Department of Labor website at https://www.ny.gov/combating-sexual-harassment-workplace/employers .
 
Joseph F. Frank, Esq., our Association’s General Counsel will be making a presentation on this important topic this week at our 2018 Leadership Summit and Vendor Expo on Thursday, October 11th .
 
In order to assist our member districts, departments and companies he has prepared drafts in Word format of a written Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy, a complaint form and an informative poster which have been placed on this website in the Members Center under the Sample Forms and Polices tab [ https://www.afdsny.org/sample_forms_and_policies.php ]. The documents are based on the models provided by the Department of Labor.
 
We are hopeful that you will be able to join our officers and members at the conference and attend this important session.