California Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Guide

California mandates sexual harassment prevention training for businesses with five or more employees. Learn about compliance requirements, training best practices, and how to reduce organizational risks with effective programs. Discover how Keepnet’s solutions ensure compliance and a safer workplace.

2024-11-26

California Sexual Harassment Prevention Training: Key Compliance Guide

Did you know that in 2023, over 11,000 sexual harassment claims were filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)? 78% of all workplace sexual harassment cases filed with the EEOC are from women and up to 72% of victims of sexual assault in the workplace do not report it, often due to career fears or lack of faith in the process in 2025. (Source)

That is why California law mandates sexual harassment prevention training for organizations with five or more employees, emphasizing the need to create respectful and secure workplaces. Under SB 1343, employers are required to provide:

Two hours of training for supervisory employees
One hour of training for nonsupervisory employees

This sexual harassment training is not just about compliance; it’s part of a broader effort to reduce human risks in organizations, similar to security awareness training. Ignoring these mandates can result in penalties, lawsuits, and reputational damage, making compliance critical for businesses operating in California.

This blog explores:

The specific training requirements for supervisory and nonsupervisory employees.
How harassment prevention aligns with broader risk management strategies.
Best practices for implementing effective and engaging training.
How Keepnet can help your organization meet and exceed these requirements.

Understanding California Sexual Harassment Prevention Training

California Sexual Harassment Prevention Training is required workplace harassment training for employers with five or more employees. You can deliver the training course as online training that meets California’s harassment training requirements. It teaches supervisors and employees how to recognize misconduct. This includes sexual harassment, and how to respond to keep the workplace safe and compliant.

The program also covers online sexual harassment, reporting steps, and preventing sexual harassment through clear policies and examples. It explains rules on harassment including sexual harassment and addresses broader misconduct. For examples, harassment including sexual behavior, comments, or coercion—so teams build a respectful culture and reduce legal risk.

Why California Sexual Harassment Prevention Training is Needed?

California Sexual Harassment Prevention Training is essential to ensure workplaces are safe, respectful, and inclusive. It’s not just about meeting legal requirements—it helps employees understand what constitutes harassment, how to prevent it, and how to respond effectively. For employers, it reduces the risk of costly lawsuits, fines, and reputational damage while promoting a positive work culture that fosters trust and productivity.

The Importance of Sexual Harassment Prevention Training

Sexual Harassment Training importance.png — Picture 1: Importance of California’s Sexual Harassment Prevention Training

Workplace harassment damages organizations on multiple fronts, from financial losses to employee morale. Recent statistics emphasize the stakes:

The EEOC received 14,900 sexual harassment charges in 2023 across the U.S.
Businesses paid $68.2 million in settlements last year alone.

Proactive training reduces these risks by:

Ensuring compliance with California’s laws to avoid fines and penalties.
Strengthening workplace culture to attract and retain talent.
Reducing organizational risk by empowering employees to report and prevent harassment effectively.

What are California’s Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Requirements

California’s sexual harassment prevention training laws are designed to create safe, respectful workplaces. Employers with five or more employees must provide regular training to help workers recognize, prevent, and address harassment, ensuring compliance with state laws and fostering a positive work environment.

For Nonsupervisory Employees

Duration:

1 hour every two years

Content:

Recognizing inappropriate behavior and harassment
Reporting processes and bystander responsibilities
Organizational policies

For Supervisory Employees

Duration:

2 hours every two years

Content:

Legal obligations for addressing complaints
Retaliation prevention strategies
How to create a harassment-free workplace

Sextual Harassment.png — Picture 2: California’s Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Requirements

Key Components of California-Compliant Training

To comply with California’s sexual harassment prevention training requirements, your program must include several critical elements. Interactive learning is a cornerstone, as it helps engage participants and ensures they retain important concepts. Quizzes, case studies, and group discussions can make the training more dynamic and impactful, fostering a deeper understanding of the material.

It’s also essential to tailor the training to your workplace. Including real-life examples relevant to your industry or organizational environment helps employees relate to the scenarios and better understand how to apply what they’ve learned in their daily interactions.

Comprehensive coverage of key topics is another requirement. Your training should define sexual harassment clearly, provide examples of unlawful behaviors, explain employers’ obligations to investigate and resolve complaints, and emphasize the importance of preventing retaliation against individuals who report incidents.

Lastly, California law requires that training be accessible to all employees. For workplaces with a diverse staff, this means offering the program in multiple languages to ensure everyone can fully understand the material.

Sexual Harassment Prevention Training must be completed within six months of hire or promotion and refreshed biennially. Programs must include interactive content, such as quizzes, case studies, or group discussions, similar to the approach used in security awareness training modules.

Best Practices for Implementing Effective Sexual Harassment Training

Leverage Interactive Training Platforms: Use training systems that are engaging and accessible. Programs that incorporate real-life scenarios and multimedia elements can boost comprehension and retention. Explore Keepnet’s security awareness training for customizable and interactive training solutions.
Integrate Training with Compliance Tools: Organizations can simplify compliance tracking by using platforms like the Human Risk Management Platform. These systems ensure training deadlines are met and maintain audit-ready records. Read this article and learn 5 key strategies for effective human risk management in the workplace.
Ensure Accessibility and Inclusivity: Provide training in multiple languages and formats (online, in-person, or hybrid) to accommodate all employees.
Monitor and Measure Effectiveness: Track completion rates, conduct employee surveys, and evaluate understanding through post-training assessments. This approach mirrors strategies used in phishing simulations and other risk-based training efforts.
Align Harassment Training with Security Awareness Initiatives: Incorporate harassment prevention alongside your security awareness training programs to foster a culture of compliance and accountability across the board.

A Broader Approach to Risk Management For Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment prevention training aligns closely with other risk-reduction efforts, such as cybersecurity awareness training. Both aim to protect the human layer, mitigating insider threats and reducing overall vulnerabilities in your organization. By addressing harassment and security together, organizations create safer, more resilient environments.

How Keepnet Provides Sexual Harassment Prevention Training

Both sexual harassment prevention and cybersecurity awareness training share a critical goal: safeguarding the human layer of an organization. Addressing these areas together promotes a culture of compliance and fosters a resilient workforce equipped to manage a wide range of risks.

With Keepnet’s Human Risk Management Platform, you gain access to a comprehensive solution for sexual harassment prevention. Keepnet’s training programs are built with real-life short stories, interactive quizzes, and dynamic learning elements that engage employees and drive meaningful behavior change.

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An_example_of_Human_Risk_Score_from_Keepnet_s_security_awareness_training_platform_6c7b35ac48.png — Picture 3: Examples of Training Reports from Keepnet Human Risk Management Platform

By combining storytelling with practical scenarios, Keepnet ensures employees not only recognize risks but also feel empowered to respond effectively. This holistic approach helps organizations reduce vulnerabilities, strengthen accountability, and create safer workplaces while seamlessly integrating harassment prevention into a broader risk management strategy.

Further Reading

Editor's note: This article was updated on October 31, 2025.

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You’ll learn how to:

Integrate sexual harassment prevention into your organization’s security awareness training.

Automate compliance tracking for seamless adherence to California’s mandates.

Benchmark and improve your organization’s human risk score.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is California Sexual Harassment Prevention Training?

It is required workplace harassment training for most employers. The training course may be delivered as online training or in person. The goal is to prevent harassment in the workplace and keep teams compliant.

2) What constitutes sexual harassment under California rules?

Unwelcome conduct based on sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Examples include quid-pro-quo demands, hostile-environment comments, and offensive messages. Online behavior counts too, including chats and emails.

3) How often is harassment training required in California?

Employees and supervisors must complete training at hire or promotion and at set intervals under state law. Many employers refresh every two years to prevent harassment in the workplace and keep records current.

4) Is online training acceptable, and can I get a certificate?

Yes. California allows compliant online modules with knowledge checks. Most providers issue a completion certificate and downloadable materials (often PDF or slide decks). Keep proof for audits of your workplace harassment training.

5) How does California law relate to title vii of the civil rights act of 1964?

Title VII is the federal baseline. California adds specific training duties and broader protections. Employers follow both: Title VII for federal rules and California’s program to reduce risk and ensure workplace harassment training coverage.

6) Is California training the same as New York City requirements?

No. California has its own standards. New York City has separate rules and guidance (often searched online as “york city”). Check the correct jurisdiction before assigning a training course.

7) What topics should be covered to prevent harassment in the workplace?

Definitions of what constitutes sexual harassment, examples, reporting options, anti-retaliation, supervisor duties, and practical scenarios. Clear policies plus role-specific online training help stop issues early and reduce liability.

8) What does California training cover for preventing sexual harassment, and what proof do employees receive?

California state laws require courses focused on preventing sexual harassment. The training explains what constitutes sexual harassment, and addresses “harassment including sexual” conduct in person and online. It also outlines reporting options and the remedies available to victims under state and federal rules. After completing the course, learners receive a certificate of completion for audit and HR records.

Steps to prevent issues include clear policies, multiple reporting channels, bystander guidance, supervisor responsibilities, timely investigations, and refresher training. Following these steps—and the required curriculum—helps organizations meet state laws and reduce risk.