New York Training Requirements
Under New York State law, all employers with one or more employees are required to provide annual sexual harassment prevention training to every worker, regardless of their job title, employment status (full-time, part-time, seasonal, temporary), or seniority level. This mandate ensures that every individual in the workplace is educated on their rights and responsibilities in maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive work environment.
For new hires, training must be completed within 30 calendar days of their start date. This requirement also applies to employees who are promoted or transferred into roles with supervisory responsibilities—they must receive updated training within the same 30-day window.
Employers may use the official New York State Model training, or they can implement their own customized program, provided it meets or exceeds all the content and engagement standards set by the state.
Here’s a more scannable view of the info:
| Requirement Area |
What You Need to Know |
| Who Must Comply |
All New York employers with 1+ employees |
| Who Must Be Trained |
All employees, including part-time, seasonal, temporary workers, and some contractors |
| When to Train |
Within 30 days of hire or promotion |
| Training Duration |
1 hour minimum |
| Training Frequency |
Every year |
| Training Format |
Interactive, may be online or in person |
| Recordkeeping |
Maintain attendance, training dates, content, and provider info |
How often must employees in New York undergo training, and how long does it last?
New York law requires all employees to undergo annual interactive training. The training must be at least one hour in length and must occur every calendar year.
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New hires: Train within 30 days of starting
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Promotions or transfers: Retrain within 30 days
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Employers can deliver this training online or in-person, but it must be interactive—including quizzes, discussions, or feedback.
What are the content requirements for New York–compliant training?
The training must include all of the following:
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A clear definition of sexual harassment
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Examples of inappropriate and unlawful workplace behavior
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Employee rights to report harassment and protection from retaliation
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Employer responsibilities under the law
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Information on reporting procedures
Employers may:
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Use the official state toolkit and model, or
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Develop their own program, provided it meets or exceeds New York legal standards
If you're based in NYC, you must also follow the NYC Human Rights Law (NYCHRL), which includes additional protections.
Do employers need to maintain training records, and what should be included?
Yes, maintaining training records is required.
Employers should keep:
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Sign-in sheets or digital confirmations
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Dates of training
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Names of trainers or training providers
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Copies of training materials used
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The delivery format (e.g., online or in-person)
These records serve as evidence of compliance and should be retained in case of audits or claims.
What is the New York law that mandates sexual harassment training?
The training requirement is governed by Section 201-g of the New York Labor Law, which mandates that:
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All employers must have a written sexual harassment prevention policy
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Training must be delivered annually and be interactive
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Employers must ensure protections from retaliation
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Clear complaint and reporting procedures must be included
Employers in New York City must additionally comply with the New York City Human Rights Law, which may have stricter training provisions.
How can employees file a sexual harassment complaint in New York?
Employees can report sexual harassment to any of the following agencies:
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New York State Division of Human Rights (NYSDHR) – Complaints must be filed within 1 year
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New York City Commission on Human Rights (NYCCHR) – For NYC-based claims
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Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) – For federal-level complaints, must be filed within 300 days
If a complaint is validated, the agency may pursue legal action, mediation, or issue a Right to Sue letter.
Where do I find a sexual harassment training program that complies with my workplace requirements?
Below are New York–compliant training programs designed by legal and HR experts. These courses are:
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Fully customizable with your company branding
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Editable to include internal reporting policies
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Up-to-date with both state and NYC-specific laws
