(Washington Insider Magazine) The proposed updates were developed by the Human Rights Division and the public will have 30 days to comment.
The State of New York continues its fight to guarantee that there are no acts of sexual harassment in the workplace, and has just announced that the Department of Labor (NYSDOL) has a strengthened prevention policy, which seeks that New Yorkers can better understand Your rights.
This was revealed by the commissioner of the New York State Department of Labor, Roberta Reardon, after warning of the new updated policy, which was created together with the New York State Division of Human Rights (NYS DHR) now includes protections for workers remote, defines different gender identities and amplifies gender discrimination. She also presents ways that workers can intervene when they witness harassment.
“I am grateful to the many New Yorkers who participated in this process. Your comments make New York State stronger and safer for everyone in the workplace,” the official said, after warning that the public has 30 days to comment and insisting that involving workers, employers and advocates was priority.
Maria L. Imperial, commissioner of the New York State Division of Human Rights, assured that New York is committed as a state to eliminate sexual discrimination from the workplace culture.
“This updated policy embodies our State’s values by prioritizing the safety and dignity of our workforce. It is also an important step to demonstrate that the government of our State responds to the needs and comments of its workers”, said the Commissioner.
Sexual Harassment Guidance
To issue the changes to the workplace sexual harassment guidance, the Department of Labor held a public hearing and used online feedback from workers, employers, and community members. It will also launch a public education campaign to inform about changes to the original Model Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy, which was created in 2018.
The anti-harassment rule states that as part of New York State’s commitment to making workplaces safer and more equitable. all employers, regardless of size, be required to adopt a sexual harassment prevention policy and provide annual employee training.
The Department of Labor added that the legislation included a provision that the Model Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy be reviewed and redacted every four years, understanding that “workplaces are constantly changing and the State is committed to strengthening its model policy to reflect the evolution of the world of work.
It should be noted that the State of New York equally protects undocumented workers, regardless of their immigration status, and also prohibits retaliation against them for filing an internal complaint with their employer or for filing a complaint with the Division of Human Rights.
This article is authored by Edwin Martínez.