Photo by Timon Studler on UnsplashRecently, a new bill was passed that will revolutionize sexual harassment laws in the state of New York. When it comes to sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace, a few main changes have been made. First, there is a lower threshold to report a claim. In the past, an act had to be deemed “severe or pervasive” in order to merit legal action. Now, workers will be able to bring action upon more situations that affect them adversely. In addition, workers will now have more time to report a claim and can report a claim even if they didn’t follow the company policy exactly.
After many years of hard work, legislators in New York are finally starting to reap some rewards when it comes to workplace harassment. This law is great news for employees as there has been a recent societal push to eliminate inappropriate behavior in the workplace. Now, workers will feel more comfortable at work and find it easier to report these occurrences. While this bill aids employees, it will probably hurt employers. The bill will likely result in more expenses for a company in the form of training, settlements, and attorney related costs.
With more ease in reporting workplace harassment incidents, more claims will likely occur. This will result in more satisfied employees but also more costs incurred by companies and an increase in insurance premiums. Therefore, it is imperative for companies to understand these changes in the law and continue to push for a respectful, harassment-free workplace. Without adapting to this new ideal, businesses will lose large amounts of money as a result of the new bill. The passing of this bill is a huge step for New York in terms of a better workplace, but it is also a caution for companies to buckle down on inappropriate workplace behavior or face the consequences.
Make sure your team and company are aware of the new sexual harassment laws and contact one of our RISK ADVISORS today or call 914.357.8444.
