Healthcare teams have the highest rates of workplace harassment. Documented training is your first line of defense.
Under Title VII and state laws, every healthcare employer must take reasonable steps to prevent and address workplace harassment. Documented training is critical - both for protecting your team and for establishing the employer's affirmative defense if a claim arises. This course covers the federal Title VII baseline and explains how state requirements differ.
Start your free trialSexual harassment prevention training is required under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and specific state laws. California, New York, and Illinois mandate training for all employees.
Some states (California, New York, Illinois, and others) require sexual harassment training with specific length, interactivity, and trainer standards this awareness course does not meet. Use a course that meets your state's requirements to satisfy those mandates.
Course Details
30 minutes
Workplace Safety
Title VII
Online, self-paced
What your team will learn
- What constitutes sexual harassment under Title VII - quid pro quo and hostile work environment
- Behaviors that create liability for the employer, even when conducted by non-supervisory employees
- Bystander intervention techniques - how to safely intervene when witnessing harassment
- How to report harassment through formal and informal channels
- Employer obligations when a complaint is received, including the investigation process
- Anti-retaliation protections for employees who report or participate in investigations
- How state requirements (California SB 1343, New York, Illinois) differ from the federal Title VII baseline
Who needs this training?
Required for all healthcare employers under federal and state law. R = Required by federal/state regulation. S = Strongly recommended (accreditation or best practice).
| Practice Type | Status | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Physician Practices & Medical Groups | Required | Title VII |
| Dental Offices | Required | Title VII |
| Urgent Care Centers | Required | Title VII |
| Home Health Agencies | Required | Title VII |
| Behavioral Health & SUD Treatment | Required | Title VII |
| Chiropractic Offices | Required | Title VII |
| Physical Therapy & Rehab Clinics | Required | Title VII |
| Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) | Required | Title VII |
| Pharmacies | Required | Title VII |
| Mental Health Private Practices | Required | Title VII |
| Community Health Centers (FQHCs) | Required | Title VII |
| Telehealth Providers | Required | Title VII |
State-specific requirements
These state mandates apply on top of the federal Title VII baseline. This awareness course does not by itself satisfy them; where a state requires it, use a course that meets your state's requirements.
- If you operate in California: SB 1343 requires 2 hours for supervisors and 1 hour for all other employees, every 2 years. Training must cover abusive conduct and FEHA protections.
- If you operate in New York: All employers with 1 or more employees must provide annual harassment prevention training to all employees per NY Labor Law Section 201-g.
- If you operate in Illinois: All employers with 1 or more employees must provide annual sexual harassment prevention training under the Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS 5/2-109).
- If you operate in Texas: No state-mandated frequency, but Title VII obligations apply to all employers with 15 or more employees. Training is strongly recommended.
Common Sexual Harassment Prevention questions
How often is sexual harassment prevention training required?
It depends on where you operate. California, New York, and Illinois all require annual or biennial training for all employees. California mandates training every 2 years (SB 1343). New York and Illinois require annual training for all employees with 1 or more staff. Federal Title VII does not specify a frequency, but documented periodic training is a key part of an employer's affirmative defense against harassment claims. If you operate in multiple states, follow the most restrictive requirement for employees in each state.
Do managers and supervisors need different training?
In California, supervisors require 2 hours of training while non-supervisory employees need 1 hour - both every 2 years. Other states do not specify different durations. In practice, supervisor training should address employer liability, the obligation to report when a supervisor witnesses or learns of harassment, and how to handle complaints without retaliation. EZBunny's course covers both employee and supervisor perspectives as Title VII awareness training; it does not meet California's 1-2 hour, interactivity, and trainer-qualification requirements, so use a course that meets California's SB 1343 requirements.
What is the difference between quid pro quo and hostile work environment harassment?
Quid pro quo harassment ties employment decisions to submission to sexual conduct. Hostile work environment harassment involves conduct so severe or pervasive it creates an abusive workplace. A single serious incident can qualify as hostile work environment in severe cases. Healthcare settings have documented elevated risk due to shift structures, authority hierarchies, and high-stress conditions. Both types create employer liability under Title VII.
What are an employer's obligations when a harassment complaint is filed?
Employers must conduct a prompt, impartial investigation; take corrective action proportionate to the conduct; and protect the complainant from retaliation. Employers who knew or should have known about harassment and failed to act face significant liability. A written anti-harassment policy, a clear reporting procedure, and documented training are the three pillars of an employer's affirmative defense. EZBunny certificates provide documentation of completion for every team member.
Get your entire team trained on harassment prevention
30 minutes per person. Certificates on completion. Start your 14-day free trial now.
Get started freeRegulatory Disclaimer
Training requirements vary by organization type, size, state, payer mix, and accreditation. This guide reflects common federal and state requirements as of April 2026 and is not legal advice. Consult your compliance officer or legal counsel for requirements specific to your organization. EZBunny provides state privacy-law training for California, Texas, and New York. Our state-specific safety and harassment courses are awareness training and may not, on their own, satisfy your state's specific mandate. Other states may have requirements not covered here. Last reviewed: April 2026.