Public Hearing: Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Reported incidences of sexual harassment in the workplace have increased over the past few years. Social media and high-profile news reports of sexual harassment allegations have helped raise awareness and brought this issue to the forefront of the nation’s attention. This issue impacts all employers and employees, throughout the State and the country.

In 2018, the Legislature enacted a number of measures to combat sexual harassment in the workplace, including mandating that all employers in New York State have a sexual harassment policy, employee training, and a clear complaint and investigation process. Additional proposals are still under consideration in both houses of the Legislature.

As people across the nation continue to discuss this issue, the Committees are interested in hearing from relevant stakeholders and engaging in a meaningful dialogue on this important topic. The purpose of this hearing is not to take individual harassment complaints. If you think you have been subjected to sexual harassment in the workplace, you should contact the Division of Human Rights or visit its website at www.dhr.ny.gov to get information about your rights and available remedies.

Oral testimony will be limited to TEN (10) minutes’ duration. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committees will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible.

Twenty (20) copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committees would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the New York State Legislature, in accordance with its policies of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to the Legislature’s facilities and activities.