1) Does the training fulfill the requirements of the law, AB 1825, and the new regulations?
Yes, the training fulfills the two hour training requirement and meets the following required elements:
a. The training and education must include information and practical guidance regarding federal and state statutory provisions concerning the prohibition against and prevention and correction of sexual harassment as well as the remedies available to victims.
- California Harassment Prevention Training includes detailed and up-to-date information on both federal and California law that meets these requirements and more importantly, alerts supervisors as to their responsibilities to their companies and their employees.
b. The training and education must include practical examples.
- The workplace scenes and the case studies are based on real examples.
c. The training and education must be provided through class-room training or "other effective interactive methods."
- The Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) has deemed online training interactive and meeting legal requirements if it (a) tests the knowledge and understanding of each participant with questions throughout the course; and (b) if the course allows participants to ask questions of the Subject Matter Experts. An Ask the Expert e-mail link is on every supervisor course page - allowing the learner to ask our Subject Matter Experts a question on course content, and get a response within 2 business days.
- This course is extremely interactive and meets the regulatory requirements. Questions are posed throughout the course and participants must answer the questions correctly before proceeding further in the course. The course also includes a summary quiz at the end.
d. Trainers or educators with knowledge and expertise in the prevention of harassment, discrimination and retaliation must provide the training or education.
- This course is authored and reviewed by employment lawyers from CalChamber, and expert witnesses on harassment training.
e. The training must be 2 hours.
- This course includes a timer to ensure supervisor participation for 2 hours.
f. Should AB 1825 training only address sexual harassment?
- No. AB 1825 specifies 2 hours of sexual harassment training as a "minimum threshold." It does not relieve an employer from its obligation to train on all forms of harassment and discrimination, i.e., race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, etc. Accordingly, this course contains 2 hours of content pertaining to sexual harassment issues, but it also addresses all forms of harassment in compliance with California Government Code Section 12940(k).
2. Is the training content authored and/or reviewed by Subject Matter Experts as defined in the regulations?
Yes, the training content is authored and reviewed by CalChamber subject matter experts.
3. Can a human resources manager provide the required training for his or her company?
That question would have to be answered on a case-by-case basis. The regulations are very clear that training must be provided by a trainer of educator who is a Subject Matter Expert, meaning one who has legal education coupled with practical experience, or substantial practical experience in training in harassment, discrimination and retaliation prevention. The trainer or educator must be qualified to train about:
- A. What are unlawful harassment, discrimination and retaliation under both california and federal law
- B. What steps to take when harassing behavior occurs in the workplace
- C. How to report harassment complaints
- D. How to respond to a harassment complaint
- E. The employer's obligation to conduct a workplace investigation of a harassment complaint
- F. What constitutes retaliation and how to prevent it
- G. Essential components of an anti-harassment policy
- H. The effect of harassment on harassed employees, coworkers, harassers and employers.
The trainer or educator must use hypotheticals or examples that illustrate the course content and involve the supervisor through questions, problem solving and quizzes to insure that the information is understood.
4. Can our attorney or a human resources consultant provide the required training?
In many cases, attorneys and consultants whose practice includes sex discrimination and sexual harassment cases can provide training that meets the requirements of the law, provided they meet the qualifications described above. Discuss with them the costs and time involved and the possible complication that could arise if the party that provided the training was required to testify on behalf of the company at a trial of a sexual harassment suit.
5. Does the CalBizCentral interactive online solution provide a classroom-like setting?
CalBizCentral's harassment training solution provides learners, at no additional cost, the ability to e-mail questions about course content to the course trainer(s). The learner will then receive a response from the trainer within two business days. The course online trainers are Subject Matter Experts that have the required knowledge and expertise to teach, instruct and answer questions pertaining to both state and federal harassment, and sexual harassment laws.
Since AB 1825 is a legal requirement, the course trainer could be called on to testify in court or an administrative proceeding. With our online training solution, there will be no issues with the trainers' knowledge and expertise. If called upon, our subject matter expert's will address all questions relating to the content of the training and course.
6. Does this course have a feature that will document that each learner was in the course for the required two hours?
Yes, the 2-hour supervisor course is broken into two sections or modules. Each module has been designed and tested to take the average learner 60 minutes to complete. There is a programmed timer in each course to ensure a learner participates for 60 minutes. If the learner finishes prior to 60 minutes, they will not be allowed to finish the course, and will directed to review the course Handbook or previous chapters for the remaining time.
7. What type of documentation does the company receive to show that the employee completed the course?
Documentation for the online course is captured in the Admin ToolBox.
8. Is the course graded or scored?
No. The course is structured so that a user must answer each question correctly before proceeding to the next question. If an employee answers a question incorrectly, the course forces the employee to go back and answer the question again, until the employee answers correctly. Thereafter, the course provides a detailed explanation of the correct answer.
10. Are there any key advantages to Web-based training over other types?
Yes. Whether you need to train 10 or 100 employees, Web-based training is more cost-effective. It has several other key advantages as well:
- The same content is consistently delivered every time to everyone who takes the course.
- Interactive course engages the supervisor with real-life scenarios and quizzes that test the employee's comprehension of the material.
- Employees can take the training any time at their convenience.
- Administration and tracking are all done online - saving time and money.
11. Does the training allow the employee to "skip" through the material? Does it provide the employee with ability to stop and start from the same place at a later time?
No, the training does not allow an employee to "skip" forward through the course until after the employee has completed the course. Upon completion, the employee is allowed to "skip" to various chapters for a refresher.
Additionally, the employees can start/stop from the same place, i.e., bookmark a certain place in the course, and return at a later time to complete the course. The training also has a progress bar that shows employees where they are in the course and how much they have left to complete.
12. Is the training designed for the adult learning style?
Yes. This course is both interesting and interactive. It engages the employee with questions to which they must respond throughout the course as well as at the end of the course. It includes real-life scenarios, which result in more effective employee retention and behavior modification. Questions have to be reviewed and answered correctly before moving on to the next section and completing the course. Both the correct answer, and the reasoning behind the correct answer, are provided for the employee.
13. Will we be able to run reports on who has and has not completed training?
Yes. The administrator can run reports on employees who have completed the training and employees who have not completed the training. The Admin ToolBox also allows the administrator to send automatic reminder e-mails to employees and/or to send customized e-mails to specific employees or groups of employees who haven't completed the training.
15. What are some of the learning tools included in the course?
At the top of the course screen, there are several useful tools from which to select:
- Policy: A standard harassment policy template is included in the course. Customers can have their own policy inserted by using the instructions on the Administrative , or use the policy document included in the course.
- Glossary: List and definition of key terms and concepts used in the course.
- Protected Classes: The course includes a page listing protected classes in California.
16. What are the technical requirements to run the training? Is the training compatible with Windows and Macintosh systems?
The course requires a Flash plug-in and runs on both Windows and Macintosh systems. The employee just needs a computer with an Internet Browser with Javascript and cookies enabled. We recommend a high-speed internet connection.
Recommended Browsers: Internet Explorer 6.0 or later, Safari, Firefox
Screen Resolution: Minimum suggested: 800x600, Recommended: 1024x768 or greater
Audio Requirements:
- Computers with current audio/sound capability
- Speakers or headphones
- High-speed connection recommended
- Adobe Flash Plugin v8 or later (download)
Employees receive system requirement information when their course notification and reminder e-mails are sent.
17. Does this course require me to install any software on my systems, or use my IT resources? And is it easy to deploy?
The course is requires no system software, storage, or IT resources from the customer. The course can be deployed in a few easy steps.
19. Are there any monthly support fees or charges?
No, there are no additional fees for this course. The purchase price listed on the store is the total price of the course per learner — which includes support and updates for the duration of your license — one year from date of purchase.