THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ANNOUNCES IN-PERSON PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE FEEDBACK ON NATION-LEADING SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION MODEL POLICY

The New York State Department of Labor today announced an in-person public hearing to receive feedback from workers, employers, and other stakeholders regarding the state's Sexual Harassment Prevention Model Policy. The hearing will take place on September 15, 2022, at 10 a.m. at the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building, Second Floor Community Room, 163 West 125th Street, New York, NY 10027. Doors will open at 9:30 a.m. If attending, please bring identification for security purposes. This hearing is an essential step in the ongoing process to strengthen the Sexual Harassment Prevention Model Policy this year.

“The pandemic has led to drastic changes in what a workplace can be, so it is important that we update the Sexual Harassment Prevention Model Policy to align with that,” Governor Hochul said. “I encourage all New Yorkers to make their voices heard and submit either written or in-person testimony. The review process will rely on this feedback to create an updated policy for the modern-day worker.”

“The Sexual Harassment Prevention Model Policy was a bold and successful initiative, but over the past four years, workplaces have significantly changed in many ways, due largely to the effects of the pandemic and the growth of remote work,” said New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. “To ensure this initiative keeps up with evolving workplaces, the policy is required to undergo a revision process every four years. Our review will rely heavily on the feedback received at this public hearing, because we know how important it is for workers and businesses to have a voice in this process. We encourage everyone and anyone to attend.”

During the hearing, the public will have the opportunity to provide their feedback before a panel that will include Commissioner Reardon, New York State Division of Human Rights Commissioner Maria Imperial, and a senior representative from Governor Hochul’s Office.

“New York State takes the civil rights of our workforce seriously,” said New York State Division of Human Rights Commissioner Maria L. Imperial. “We want to hear from everyday New Yorkers to understand what is happening on the ground in order to build better, more equitable, and inclusive workplaces free from sexual harassment.”

This announcement builds on Governor Hochul’s commitment to strengthening New York’s nation-leading Sexual Harassment Prevention Model Policy. In July, she announced that  members of the public were invited to provide feedback on the current Sexual Harassment Prevention Model Policy through this secure feedback form. New Yorkers who are unable to attend the September 15 hearing may continue to submit statements through the NY.gov form through September 20, 2022.

The current Sexual Harassment Prevention Model Policy was created in 2018 as part of New York State’s commitment to establishing safer and more equitable workplaces by requiring all employers, regardless of size, to adopt a sexual harassment prevention policy and provide annual training to employees. The legislation included the provision that the Sexual Harassment Prevention Model Policy be reviewed and revised every four years. The workplace is constantly changing, and the state is committed improving its Sexual Harassment Prevention Model Policy to reflect the evolution of the world of work.

Anyone wishing to provide testimony should sign up through this secure registration form. Testimony will be given in the order people have registered. Media wishing to attend should RSVP through the same form.

For more information on the current Sexual Harassment Prevention Model Policy, go to Combating Sexual Harassment in the Workplace and to provide feedback, visit the Model Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy page.

If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace, file a report online or call DHR’s new toll-free sexual harassment hotline at 1-800-HARASS-3 Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.