Answers To Questions About Mandatory Sexual Harassment Training
For Supervisors & Faculty

What is the mandatory supervisor & faculty training requirement?

Effective January 1, 2005, supervisors are required under California law (AB 1825) to have two hours of sexual harassment training by January 1, 2006. AB 1825 require mandatory training every two years. Each new faculty member and/or supervisor, including new hires and promoted employees, must be trained within the first six months that they assume supervisory responsibilities.

What if I already attended a program?

If you are unsure if you are in compliance, you should e-mail Rita Walker at rew@ucsc.edu or phone the Title IX/sexual harassment office at extension (831) 459-2462.

Who is a supervisor?

The California Fair Employment and Housing Commission has issued regulations regarding the new training law and they describes a "supervisor" as any individual having the authority "to hire, transfer, suspend, lay off, recall, promote, discharge, assign, reward, or discipline other employees, or the responsibility to direct them, or to adjust their grievances, or effectively to recommend that action…if the exercise of that authority is not of a merely routine or clerical nature, but requires the use of independent judgment." This definition includes staff members, faculty, PI's, co-PI's, lecturers, and researchers who supervise staff, student(s), or academic employees such as teaching assistants, researchers, course assistants, or tutors. The Title IX/sexual harassment office recommends the mandatory 2-hour training for any UCSC employee who has managerial responsibilities, whether or not that employee has a supervisor payroll title.

What responsibilities do supervisors & faculty have under UC & UCSC policy?

University officials (supervisors and faculty) are charged by state and federal laws and UC policy to provide a learning and/or work environment that is free of harassment and to assist those who report harassing conduct to them. University officials are required under UCSC policy to consult with the Title IX/sexual harassment officer, Rita Walker before responding to reports of harassment that come to his/her attention.

What about training for non-supervisory staff?

While training for non-supervisory staff is not currently mandatory, there are many reasons why supervisors will want to schedule regular training for their staff. UCSC and its supervisors must meet the legal requirement of taking "all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment from occurring" by ensuring that all staff, students, and faculty are aware of UCSC policy and their rights and responsibilities under our policy.