New Illinois Harassment Training Law Set to Take Effect January 1

Signed on August 9 by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, SB75 will impose significant responsibilities on all Illinois businesses when it becomes law on January 1. A leading Human Resources consultant and training leader says now is the time for companies to begin planning to comply with the law.

Laurie Huspen, founder of Valuable Resources Co. and its live performance training group Taboo Topix, explained that every Illinois business with more than 1 employee is covered under the new law.

"The new law takes an important step by going beyond just mandating that harassment training take place, but specifically states that the training must be interactive," Huspen said. "This moves harassment training away from self-directed computer programs that simply check a box and instead brings the topic to the forefront where people must see it and discuss it at some level."

Huspen has spent several decades in the HR space and has carefully cultivated her training programs, using live actors to show employees what harassment looks like. As the Illinois law calls for training programs that are approved by the Illinois Department of Human Rights, Huspen feels that the law has proper focus.

"We are pleased to say our training programs meet the Department of Human Rights criteria," Huspen said. "We are encouraging employers, especially larger ones, to begin formulating their training schedules early in the year to make sure they are meeting the requirements of SB75."

The bill also calls for mandatory reporting of any workplace incidents of sexual harassment and discrimination, limits a company's ability to require a non-disclosure agreement in settlement agreements, and extends job-protected leave to victims of gender violence among other provisions.

"Employers across the state should carefully review SB75 and begin implementing plans before the year begins to address the many components of the new law," said Huspen. "While many of our clients already have good training programs in place, we are assisting them with the overall implementation of the new requirements."

For more information on sexual harassment training related to Illinois SB75, contact Laurie Huspen at (847) 401-0014.