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Sexual Harassment Prevention Requirements
Most employers are required to provide sexual harassment prevention training to their employees. This page explains who needs to comply, what the requirements are, and where to find free training resources.
What kinds of businesses need to comply? What are the requirements?
This page is designed as a checklist to help you understand what you need to do to comply with the law. Select your company type below to see your requirements. If you've experienced sexual harassment as an employee, or if you’re unsure, learn more about your rights.
Note: the standards and requirements here apply to all companies that have more than one employee and operate in Illinois. Some company types have additional requirements:
Jump to requirements by type
Other Resources
Sexual Harassment Prevention Trainings (Required Annually)
What you need to do:
Provide sexual harassment prevention training to all employees once a year.
Option 1: Use our free training
The Department of Human Rights offers free training regularly. Anyone can attend, or you can request a private session for your team.
Option 2: Create your own training
You can develop your own program as long as it covers these four areas:
- What sexual harassment is under Illinois law
- Real examples of conduct that counts as unlawful sexual harassment
- Legal protections and remedies available under federal and state law
- Your responsibilities as an employer to prevent, investigate, and address sexual harassment
Required Workplace Postings
What you need to do:
Post these notices where employees can see them – like break rooms, near time clocks, or common areas:
Required Workplace Policies
What you need to do:
Maintain a written sexual harassment policy and include it in your employee handbook. Your policy must explain what harassment is, how to report it, and how your company will respond.
Note: This model policy is a starting point. Consult with a licensed attorney to ensure it fits your specific workplace.
Minimum Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Standards for All Employers
What the law requires
Public Act 101-0221 amended the Illinois Human Rights Act ("IHRA") requiring: Illinois employers to provide annual sexual harassment prevention training by December 31, 2020 and annually thereafter; restaurants and bars to establish and disseminate a written policy on sexual harassment prevention training and provide "supplemental" sexual harassment prevention training; and the Illinois Department of Human Rights ("IDHR") to develop a model sexual harassment prevention training program for use by employers. Employers may develop their own sexual harassment prevention training program that equals or exceeds the minimum standards for sexual harassment prevention training outlined in Section 2-109(B) and/or Section 2-110(C) of IHRA.
Minimum Standards for Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
Employers may develop their own sexual harassment prevention training programs provided they meet or exceed the minimum training standards outlined in Section 2-109(B) which include:
- an explanation of sexual harassment consistent with the IHRA;
- examples of conduct that constitutes unlawful sexual harassment;
- a summary of relevant federal and State statutory provisions concerning sexual harassment, including remedies available to victims of sexual harassment; and
- a summary of responsibilities of employers in the prevention, investigation, and corrective measures of sexual harassment.