New Jersey Training Requirements
Under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD), sexual harassment training is mandatory for all state government employees, including supervisors. While private employers are not currently required by law to provide training, doing so is considered best practice and is recommended by both the state and federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
State employees must be trained within 1 year of hire, with refresher training conducted annually. Supervisors must be trained within 90 days of their promotion or hire into a supervisory role.
If you're planning training for your organization, here’s a quick breakdown:
| Requirement Area |
What You Need to Know |
| Who Must Comply |
All public-sector employers and employees in New Jersey |
| Who Must Be Trained |
All state employees and supervisors |
| When to Train |
Within 1 year for employees; within 90 days for supervisors |
| Training Duration |
At least 1 hour |
| Training Frequency |
Annually |
| Training Format |
Online or in person; must be interactive |
| Recordkeeping |
Maintain training records for at least 3 years, including dates and completion status |
Who must be trained in New Jersey, and when should the training happen?
All New Jersey state government employees are required to undergo harassment prevention training within one year of hire. Additionally, supervisors must be trained within 90 days of being hired or promoted into a leadership role.
While not required for private sector employers, providing training early helps establish expectations and reduce legal exposure.
How often must training be conducted, and how long should it be?
The state mandates:
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Annual refresher training for all public employees
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A minimum of 1 hour of instruction, with additional content recommended for supervisors
Keeping employees current on their rights and responsibilities reduces risk and reinforces workplace standards.
What topics must be included in New Jersey sexual harassment training?
Training should include:
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Definitions of harassment and discrimination under New Jersey law
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Examples of prohibited conduct
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Clear reporting procedures for employees and supervisors
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Consequences of policy violations
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Guidance on maintaining a respectful, equitable workplace
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Optional: Bystander intervention strategies, while not required, are encouraged as best practice
Are there any training requirements for new hires or supervisors?
Yes:
Supervisor training should include their responsibility to report, investigate, and prevent harassment, along with compliance enforcement expectations.
What are the recordkeeping requirements for New Jersey employers?
Employers must:
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Keep detailed records of training sessions
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Document training dates, attendance, and content
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Retain records for at least 3 years
This documentation is essential for demonstrating compliance and responding to legal or agency audits.
What law governs sexual harassment training in New Jersey?
The training requirement stems from the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD), which prohibits workplace discrimination and harassment based on race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, disability, and other protected categories.
Recent updates to the LAD have expanded training requirements:
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Mandating annual training for all public employees
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Requiring interactive training, which can be conducted online or in person
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Encouraging proactive education efforts even in the private sector
How can employees file a harassment complaint in New Jersey?
Employees may:
Employees should include evidence such as communications, witness names, or incident documentation when filing.
Where do I find a sexual harassment training program that complies with my workplace requirements?
Below are expertly designed, New Jersey-compliant training courses created for public and private organizations. Before assigning one, be sure to:
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Add your agency’s logo and policy updates
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Customize the content for your internal structure and complaint handling process
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Ensure the program is interactive, whether delivered online or in person
These courses are fully editable and align with both LAD requirements and EEOC guidelines.
