In our Sexual Harassment Awareness training classes your employees will learn and apply the important skills of handling sexual harassment issues and complaints. This hands on class thoroughly addresses the elements of how to prevent unacceptable behavior. The class includes a detailed overview of what sexual harassment is, explains legal definitions, discusses sexual harassment prevention, and shows how to handle sexual harassment complaints and maintain a positive work environment.

For more information about individual sexual harassment training classes please complete this form.  Once the form is received one of our consultants will provide you with a confidential proposal that will include a detailed description of the training class and the costs for conducting it. 

Sexual Harassment Training Classes:
Sexual Harassment in Business, Service & Professional Relationships

In 1994, the California Legislature declared that, "sexual harassment occurs not only in the workplace, but in relationships between providers of professional services and their clients." To address these types of sexual harassment cases, the Legislature added California Civil Code Section 51.9, which created a cause of action for harassment that occurs as a part of a business or professional relationship.

To succeed on a claim under this section, a plaintiff must prove several elements in his or her case. First, there must be a business, service, or professional relationship between the plaintiff and defendant. Professionals who may be liable include: physicians; psychotherapists; dentists; attorneys; social workers; real estate agents and appraisers; accountants; bankers; trust officers; financial planner loan officers; collection service professionals; building contractors; escrow loan officers; executors, trustees and administrators of estates; teachers; landlords; and property managers. Anyone in a relationship that is substantially similar to the relationships enumerated above can also be held liable under section 51.9.

The plaintiff must also prove that he or she was sexually harassed. Under section 51.9, this type of harassment occurs when the defendant has made unwelcome and pervasive or severe sexual advances, solicitations, sexual requests, or demands for sexual compliance by the plaintiff. Furthermore, a defendant commits sexual harassment by engaging in verbal, visual or physical conduct of a sexual nature or of a hostile nature based on gender, that is unwelcome and pervasive or severe.

In addition, the plaintiff must show that he or she us unable to easily terminate their relationship with the defendant, and that the plaintiff has suffered or will suffer economic loss or disadvantage or personal injury. Economic loss includes emotional distress or the violation of a statutory or constitutional right caused by defendant's actions.

The section 51.9 protection against harassment in business, service and professional relationships is a significant expansion of the protection against sexual harassment in Federal Title VII and the California Fair Employment & Housing Act. The California Supreme Court has confirmed that the legal analysis for determining whether a defendant's conduct is sufficient to constitute sexual harassment is substantially the same for harassment in professional and business relationships as it is for sexual harassment in the workplace.

Source: Timothy Broderick link