Anti-harassment Policy
(with Acknowledgment) (CA)
Summary
This template is an Anti-harassment Policy for use by employers in the State of California. This template covers key topics for anti-harassment policies including, among others, prohibited harassment, reporting policy violations, and enforcement. This template includes practical guidance and drafting notes. This template is intended for private employers. Employers may include this policy in an employee handbook or distribute it as a standalone policy. Its language has been customized to comply with California and federal law. As a result, the text of this template differs from the non-jurisdictional Anti-harassment Policy (with Acknowledgment). This policy does not address all potential local law distinctions; thus, you should check any relevant local laws. For a non-jurisdictional employee handbook, see Employee Handbook. For an employee handbook supplement for California employers containing customized workplace policies based on California state and local laws, see Employee Handbook Supplement (CA). California employers are required by law to distribute a written harassment, discrimination, and retaliation policy that meets certain statutory requirements. This anti-harassment policy by itself does not satisfy those requirements. For a harassment, discrimination, and retaliation policy that satisfies California's mandatory anti-discrimination policy requirement, see Equal Employment Opportunity Policy (with Acknowledgment) (CA) and Complaint Procedure (CA). Consider using this anti-harassment policy to supplement the equal employment opportunity policy. California employers are also required to post a notice regarding the illegality of discrimination and harassment and distribute the state-published fact sheet on sexual harassment or a satisfactory alternative with equivalent information. Cal. Gov. Code § 12950. This anti-harassment policy does not contain all of the equivalent information as the fact sheet and should therefore be used to supplement but not replace it. For a full listing of key content covering employee handbook considerations, see Employee Handbook Resource Kit. For more information on what constitutes an effective anti-harassment program, how to conduct fair investigations, including recommended practices, and how to implement remedial measures, see the DFEH's Workplace Harassment Guide for California Employers. See also Sexual and Other Workplace Harassment Guidance for Managers: Training Presentation (CA) and Sexual and Other Workplace Harassment Guidance for Nonsupervisory Employees: Training Presentation (CA).