Tennessee Sexual Harassment Training Requirements

Stay compliant with Tennessee laws & foster a respectful workplace

Training Requirement

Recommended (not required)

Who Must Comply

All Tennessee employers

What’s the Deadline?

Within 1 year of employment

Training Duration

1 hour (recommended)

How Often

Annual refresher (recommended)

What It Must Cover

Harassment definitions, reporting procedures, preventive measures, retaliation protections

Get Started Free Get a Demo

In This Article

Tennessee Training Requirements Who must be trained & when Training frequency & duration Required training content New hire & supervisor rules Governing Tennessee law How to report harassment

Tennessee Training Requirements

While Tennessee does not legally mandate sexual harassment training, all employers are strongly encouraged to implement proactive training programs under the Tennessee Human Rights Act (THRA) and consistent with EEOC guidelines.

Employers are advised to provide training within the first year of employment and refresh it annually to maintain an informed, compliant, and respectful workplace culture.

Here’s a simplified guide to help you stay compliant:

Requirement Area	What You Need to Know
Who Must Comply	All public and private employers in Tennessee
Who Must Be Trained	All employees and supervisors (recommended)
When to Train	Within 1 year of hire (recommended)
Training Duration	1 hour minimum (recommended)
Training Frequency	Annual refresher training recommended
Training Format	In-person, online, or hybrid formats; must include interactivity
Recordkeeping	Not legally required but strongly advised

Who must be trained in Tennessee, and when should the training happen?

Employers are encouraged to train all employees and supervisors within one year of hiring. Early training is vital for building a workplace culture focused on respect, safety, and legal compliance.

How often must training be conducted, and how long should it be?

Best practices suggest:

A 1-hour harassment prevention training for employees and supervisors
Annual refresher sessions to reinforce knowledge and expectations

Routine education helps prevent issues and ensures continuous policy reinforcement.

What topics must be included in Tennessee sexual harassment training?

Training should cover:

Definition of sexual harassment and hostile work environments under Tennessee and federal law
Reporting policies and complaint procedures
Preventive measures to eliminate harassment risks
Protection against retaliation for reporting misconduct

Interactive learning through workshops, case studies, or scenario simulations is recommended for better engagement.

Are there any training requirements for new hires or supervisors?

Yes, while not legally required:

New employees should complete harassment training within their first year
Supervisors should undergo specialized training covering:
- How to respond to complaints properly
- Managing internal investigations
- Understanding their obligation to prevent retaliation

Leadership-focused education strengthens organizational compliance and accountability.

What are the recordkeeping requirements for Tennessee employers?

Although not legally mandated, it is good practice to:

Keep records of training completion and employee participation
Retain copies of course materials and attendance sheets
Store documentation for at least 3 years to support compliance defense if needed

Strong recordkeeping demonstrates your commitment to maintaining a safe workplace.

What law governs sexual harassment training in Tennessee?

Sexual harassment prevention in Tennessee is governed by:

The Tennessee Human Rights Act (THRA)
Federal Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

These laws prohibit harassment and discrimination based on sex, race, religion, disability, national origin, and other protected characteristics.

How can employees file a harassment complaint in Tennessee?

Employees can:

Report issues internally to their HR department
File a complaint with the Tennessee Human Rights Commission (THRC)
Submit a charge to the EEOC

Complaints should be timely, detailed, and supported with any available evidence such as documents, emails, or witness information.

Where do I find a sexual harassment training program that complies with my workplace requirements?

Below are expert-designed, state-compliant courses tailored for employers. Before assigning them to your team, be sure to:

Add your company logo to personalize the training
Customize the course content to reflect your internal policies and reporting procedures
Update your anti-harassment policy to align with current legal standards