West Virginia Training Requirements
In West Virginia, there is no explicit state law requiring private employers to conduct sexual harassment training. However, the West Virginia Board of Risk and Insurance Management (BRIM) strongly recommends that all employers, especially those with three or more employees, provide regular harassment training. Employers are encouraged to ensure that all employees, supervisors, and managers are trained to recognize, prevent, and address harassment appropriately.
New hires should complete harassment training during their onboarding process, ideally within the first six months of employment. Regular refresher sessions are advised to maintain a respectful workplace environment and ensure employees stay informed about their rights and reporting procedures.
Here’s a scanable overview for easy reference:
Requirement Area |
What You Need to Know |
Who Must Comply |
All employers (recommended for 3+ employees) |
Who Must Be Trained |
All employees, supervisors, and managers |
When to Train |
At onboarding; ideally within 6 months of employment |
Training Duration |
1 hour minimum |
Training Frequency |
Annual refresher recommended |
Training Format |
In-person, online, or hybrid interactive training |
Recordkeeping |
Strongly recommended to maintain training records for compliance |
Who must be trained in West Virginia, and when should the training happen?
Employers with three or more employees are strongly encouraged to provide harassment training to all staff. New hires should receive training within six months of their start date to ensure early awareness of policies and reporting options.
How often must training be conducted, and how long should it be?
What topics must be included in West Virginia sexual harassment training?
Effective harassment training should include:
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Definition and examples of workplace harassment and discrimination
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Reporting mechanisms for employees experiencing or witnessing harassment
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Employer responsibilities to prevent harassment and avoid retaliation
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Sensitivity training promoting a respectful workplace culture
Interactive delivery formats are recommended for better employee engagement.
Are there any training requirements for new hires or supervisors?
Yes. All new hires should be trained within six months of starting their employment to ensure they understand harassment definitions, company policies, and complaint procedures. Supervisors and managers should receive additional training on recognizing complaints, handling investigations fairly, preventing retaliation, and modeling appropriate workplace conduct.
What are the recordkeeping requirements for West Virginia employers?
Although not mandated by law, employers are advised to maintain records of:
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Employee attendance at training sessions
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Copies of training materials used
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Dates and formats of completed sessions
Documenting training efforts helps demonstrate proactive compliance and supports defense against potential claims.
What law governs sexual harassment training in West Virginia?
While not a formal statute, harassment training recommendations come from:
These frameworks encourage all employers to take reasonable preventive measures against harassment.
How can employees file a harassment complaint in West Virginia?
Employees can:
Complaints should include detailed descriptions of incidents, evidence where available, and be filed as soon as possible.
Where do I find a sexual harassment training program that complies with my workplace requirements?
Below are expert-developed, state-compliant harassment training courses tailored to meet both legal standards and workplace best practices. Before assigning courses to your team, be sure to:
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Add your company logo for personalization
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Customize the course content to reflect your specific workplace policies and reporting procedures
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Update your anti-harassment policy to align with BRIM recommendations and EEOC guidelines
Each course is fully editable to ensure full compliance and workplace relevance.