Harassment Prevention Training Expansion – Transgender Rights – SB 396

Author: Trina Clayton

With the federal government’s seemingly monthly attempts to chip away at the rights of transgender individuals – we wanted to start off 2018 with some positive news for the transgender community in California.  State law will soon expand mandatory harassment training to include training on transgender rights.

Current law requires California employers with 50 or more employees to provide supervisors with two hour of sexual harassment prevention training within six months of their assumption of a supervisory position, and every two years, as specified.  With the passage of Senate Bill 396, this training will now be required to include training on harassment based on gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation.  SB 396 also requires employers to display a poster regarding transgender rights in a prominent and accessible location in the workplace – the Department of Fair Employment and Housing will develop this poster.

Other 2018 law relating to transgender rights will be discussed in greater detail in a subsequent blog.  Analysis of 2017 laws expanding the rights for transgender individuals can be found here. For specific legal advice regarding transgender regulations or any other employment issue, please contact Ad Astra for guidance.