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Sexual harassment is a serious issue in the workplace, and the food and beverage industry is no exception. Workers in restaurants, bars, catering venues and other food service establishments often face unique challenges due to the fast-paced nature of their jobs.

Between late-night shifts and close interactions with customers or co-workers, this environment may create opportunities for unwelcome, harassing behavior. Proper training is essential to prevent these unlawful incidents, protect employees and ensure compliance with federal and state laws.

Training for Employees

Food sector employees often experience inappropriate behavior from fellow workers, customers and vendors. They may not even realize they are experiencing harassment, let alone understand what their rights are or how to exercise them.

Our employee course educates food handers, wait staff, beverage servers and other industry professionals on navigating these challenges while promoting a workplace culture of transparency and security.

Students will learn about:

  • Recognizing harassment at the jobsite
  • Prevention techniques and remedies
  • Employer obligations to protect victims and handle claims
  • Reporting procedures without fear of retaliation
  • How complaints are processed and investigated

Training for Supervisors

Employers play a crucial role in preventing and addressing sexual misconduct at work. Managers and establishment owners are responsible for keeping their employees safe but may not be aware of their legal duty to handle incidents and allegations properly.

Our supervisor course provides the in-depth training those in managerial positions need regarding:

  • Recognizing and addressing workplace harassment
  • Understanding federal regulations and employer liability
  • Developing and enforcing clear anti-harassment policies
  • Handling complaints professionally and legally
  • Implementing reporting systems that protect employees from retaliation

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I need to take a workplace harassment course?

Each state sets its own education requirements. Some have strict laws regarding the extent of training food and beverage industry personnel need and what the programs need to cover. Below are a few examples:

  • California: Establishments with five or more employees must provide awareness training every two years.
  • Connecticut: Employers with three or more employees must provide two hours of training for all workers.
  • Delaware: Companies with 50+ employees must offer training to all employees and supervisors.
  • Illinois: Businesses must provide annual training for employees and supervisors.
  • Maine: Companies with 15+ employees must provide training for all workers.
  • New York: Annual mandatory education with state-provided model training programs is required.

Check with your employer or local government to determine if you need to complete an educational course for your position.

Keep in mind that whether your state mandates training or not, prevention and awareness programs can help you avoid incidents at your job and maintain a safer work environment for yourself and your coworkers.

What are the training requirements in California?

  • Employees: At least one hour of training every two years.
  • Supervisors and Managers: Two hours of training every two years.

Senate Bill 1343 requires all employers with five or more employees to provide sexual harassment prevention training. Training must be interactive and cover topics such as bystander intervention and complaint procedures.

Our courses meet all California regulations (including AB 1825, AB 2053, SB 396, SB 1300 and SB 1343) and include an overview of state discrimination laws, prevention techniques and procedures for addressing unwanted sexual conduct or abuse.

What are the training requirements in Illinois?

Under the Workplace Transparency Act (SB 0075), an amendment to the Illinois Human Rights Act, all employers must provide annual sexual harassment training to:

  • Restaurant and Bar Employees: Industry-specific training that includes addressing customer harassment.
  • Supervisors: Training must cover federal and state harassment laws and employer responsibilities.

Our program complies with state regulations and includes information on Illinois sexual misconduct laws, how to spot and handle discrimination and ways to prevent workplace incidents.

What's the difference between the employee and supervisor programs?

Both courses cover critical information on what constitutes sexual harassment, state and/or federal laws, ways to prevent incidents and how to report misconduct. Supervisor courses are more in-depth and include details on their responsibilities, how to investigate claims, legal compliance and handling retaliation.

When will I receive my certificate of completion?

It will be available to download and print immediately upon passing the final exam.

How long is my certification valid?

Each state imposes its own rules for certificate validity. If you plan to continue working in food service, you must renew your certification before it expires. Refer to the issue date and remember to renew beforehand.